Early  Life  and  Letters 

of 

Gen.  Thomas  ].( Stonewall)  Jackson 


"  You  may  be  whatever  you  resolve  to  be.' 


Early  Life  and  Letters 

of 

General  Thomas  J.  Jackson 

"Stonewall"  Jackson 


By 

His  Nephew 
THOMAS  JACKSON  ARNOLD 


ILLUSTRATED 


NEW  YORK  CHICAGO  TORONTO 

Fleming    H.     Revell    Company 

LONDON  AND        EDINBURGH 


Copyright,  1916,  by 
FLEMING  H.  REVELL  COMPANY 


New  York:  158  Fifth  Avenue 
Chicago:  17  North  Wabash  Ave. 
Toronto:  25  Richmond  Street,  W. 
London:  21  Paternoster  Square 
Edinburgh:  100  Princes  Street 


To 

my  Wife  and  Daughter, 

'Eugenia  Hill  Arnold, 

and 
Isabel  Arnold 


396705 


Preface 

THERE  is  no  pretension  to  literary  style  in 
the  following  pages.  The  writer  has  de 
voted  his  entire  attention  to  the  collection 
and  presentation  of  facts,  and  these  have  been  sifted 
with  scrupulous  care,  and  whenever  doubt  as  to 
accuracy  existed,  have  been  unhesitatingly  rejected, 
there  being  neither  desire  nor  necessity  for  drawing 
upon  the  imagination.  No  character  has  appeared 
upon  the  world's  stage  within  the  past  half  century 
of  whom  so  much  has  been  written  as  of  "  Stone 
wall  "  Jackson.  With  as  many  as  twenty  biog 
raphies  issued  from  the  press  in  this  time,  aside  from 
an  innumerable  quantity  of  magazine  and  other 
articles,  it  would  seem  that  the  subject  had  been 
more  than  exhausted,  and  that  there  was  little  room 
for  another  biography.  But  careful  scrutiny  of  what 
has  been  written,  and  much  of  this  singularly  inac 
curate,  discloses  little  information  as  to  a  consider 
able  period  in  the  history  of  General  Jackson. 

The  object  of  the  present  volume  is  to  reveal 
something  of  the  less  known  part  of  his  life,  and 
to  preserve  in  a  permanent  form  such  facts  as  might 
be  of  interest  to  the  admirers  of  "Stonewall" 
Jackson. 

T.  J.  A. 

Arnold  Hill,  W.  Va. 


Contents 

INTRODUCTION 13 

I.  YOUTH 24 

II.  ANCESTRY 38 

III.  WEST  POINT 52 

IV.  WEST  POINT  (Continued')          .        .        .61 

V.  MEXICO 77 

VI.  MEXICO  (Continued}         ....       93 

VII.  MEXICO  (Continued)         .         .         .         .113 

VIII.  MEXICO  (Continued)         .         .         .         .124 

IX.  GOVERNOR'S  ISLAND  .        .        .        .140 

X.  FORT  HAMILTON 153 

XL  FORT  MEADE 166 

XII.  VIRGINIA  MILITARY  INSTITUTE  .        .        .178 

XIII.  VIRGINIA    MILITARY    INSTITUTE    (Con 

tinued') 190 

XIV.  HOME  LIFE 199 

XV.  HOME  LIFE  (Continued)  .        .        .214 

XVI.  LEXINGTON,  VA.                ....  228 

XVII.  EUROPE   .         .                 ....  246 

XVIII.  HOME  LIFE 254 

XIX.  HOME  LIFE  (Continued)           .        .        .  270 

XX.  HOME  LIFE  (Continued)           .         .         .  284 

XXI.  HOME  LIFE  (Continued)           .         .         .  298 

9 


10 

CONTENTS 

XXII. 

IMPRESSIONS    .        .        .  '      . 

•     309 

XXIII. 

IMPRESSIONS  (Continued) 

324 

XXIV. 

CIVIL  WAR 

XXV. 

IMPRESSIONS  —  DEATH 

.     342 

INDEX 

160 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING 
PAGE 

General  Thomas  J.  Jackson Title 

Cottage  in  Which  General  Jackson  Was  Born — 
Miniature  of  His  Father 26 

Fac-simile  of  Receipt  Given  by  Young  Jackson  as 
Constable 36 

Residence  and  Mill  of  Cummins  E.  Jackson  .  .  50 
West  Point  and  East  Shore  of  Hudson  River  .  .  62 

Major  Jackson  at  New  Orleans  En  Route  from 
Mexico — Artillery  Sabre  Carried  by  Jackson  in 
the  Campaign  in  Mexico ;  and  One  of  His  Spurs 
and  Ink-well — Young  Jackson  in  the  City  of 
Mexico,  Age  23  ..  .140 

Virginia  Military  Institute,  Lexington       .  .186 

Miss  Eleanor  Junkin,  Jackson's  First  Wife      .       .     204 

Jackson  the  Professor — At  the  Virginia  Military 
Institute .228 

Mrs.  Mary  Anna  (Morrison)  Jackson,  About  1880  256 
Specimens  of  General  Jackson's  Handwriting  .  .  294 
General  Jackson  at  Winchester,  Va.,  in  1862  .  .  34° 

Julia,  Daughter  of  "  Stonewall "  Jackson,  as  a 
Child,  and  When  Grown 


Introduction 

FROM  my  earliest  childhood  my  memory  is 
very  clear  as  to  the  personal  appearance  of 
General  Jackson,  and  from  that  time  forward 
I  knew  him  quite  well,  as  a  boy  would  know  a  man. 
Whilst  an  army  officer,  afterwards  as  professor  at 
the  Virginia  Military  Institute,  it  was  General  Jack 
son's  custom,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  spend  his  vaca 
tions  with  my  parents,  at  their  home,  in  the  town  of 
Beverley  (West)  Virginia.  Later  I  was  a  member  of 
General  Jackson's  family  in  Lexington,  Virginia,  for 
almost  a  year,  where  I  was  associated  with  him  more 
or  less  daily,  always  at  the  same  table,  and  fre 
quently  accompanying  him  in  his  walks.  In  later 
years  I  knew  intimately  some  of  General  Jackson's 
boyhood  companions,  a  number  of  them  relatives, 
from  whom  I  gathered  much  interesting  information. 
In  addition  there  has  recently  come  into  my  pos 
session  more  than  one  hundred  letters  of  General 
Jackson's  private  correspondence,  of  a  most  intimate 
nature,  written  to  my  mother,  who  was  his  only  sis 
ter,  and,  with  himself,  were  the  sole  surviving  mem 
bers  of  their  family.  General  Jackson,  being  the 
elder,  felt  a  fatherly,  as  well  as  a  brotherly  interest 
in  this  sister,  as  is  clearly  evidenced  throughout  the 
entire  correspondence. 
The  writing  of  these  memoirs  is  not  the  inspi- 


1*    ;         BA^LY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

ration  of  a  moment.  To  the  conscientious  narrator, 
who  feels  that  a  word  should  not  be  written,  nor  a 
line  of  correspondence  quoted,  that  would  meet  with 
the  serious  disapproval  of  the  subject  of  the  sketch, 
could  it  be  brought  to  his  knowledge,  the  task  is  not 
an  easy  one.  I  have  conscientiously  endeavored 
to  keep  within  the  lines  indicated.  The  period  of 
General  Jackson's  life  embraced  in  that  part  of  the 
Civil  War  in  which  he  participated  has  been  so  fully 
covered  by  other  writers,  and  particularly  by  the 
distinguished  military  critic  and  strategist  Lt.  Colo 
nel  G.  F.  R.  Henderson  of  the  British  Army,  in  his 
"  Stonewall  Jackson,"  that  anything  that  might  now 
be  written  would  be  superfluous,  and  fall  short  of  what 
has  been  so  ably  portrayed :  so  that  an  account  of 
this  period  of  his  career  has  not  been  attempted, 
other  than  the  occasional  introduction  of  some  in 
cidental  matters,  a  number  of  them  hitherto  unpub 
lished.  General  Jackson  believed  in  system,  method 
and  discipline  in  every  phase  of  life.  He  not  only 
practised  them  himself,  but  looked  for  them  in 
others,  regarding  them  as  essential  attributes 
towards  obtaining  the  most  out  of  life,  utilizing  the 
unit  to  produce  the  greatest  result.  He  certainly 
regarded  methodical  habits  as  indispensable  to  the 
highest  form  of  usefulness  to  others.  In  a  sense,  ac 
cording  to  his  creed,  certainly  in  later  life,  man  was 
a  machine  with  intelligence,  one  of  God's  instru 
ments,  and  lived  as  such  :  and  in  his  own  brief  span 
of  thirty-nine  years,  at  least  after  attaining  his  ma 
jority,  he  lived  a  full  man's  life,  weighing  as  it  were 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      15 

the  possibilities  of  each  hour,  and  giving  to  his  work 
his  utmost  intelligence.  He  was  intensely  am 
bitious.  This  is  clearly  apparent  throughout  his 
entire  course  at  West  Point,  and  also  in  the  campaign 
in  Mexico.  In  fact,  in  the  latter,  he  recognizes  as  a 
punishment  from  God,  for  his  "  excessive  ambition  " 
an  order  severing  him  (fortunately  for  him  but 
temporarily)  from  the  advancing  army.  That  he 
started  out  in  life  with  the  determination  to  distin 
guish  himself,  and  to  add  lustre  to  his  family  name, 
there  cannot  be  a  doubt.  To  what  height  he  aspired 
is  only  matter  of  conjecture,  as  he  was  not  given  to 
speaking  of  the  successful  results  of  his  efforts,  and 
certainly  never  as  to  his  aspirations  :  that  the  latter 
were  very  high  up  on  the  ladder  of  fame,  even  with 
out  limit,  may  be  readily  imagined.  This  was 
personal  ambition.  Later  in  life  there  was  a  marked 
change.  The  same  steady,  determined  desire  to 
succeed,  but  not  for  self :  the  controlling  idea  was  to 
press  to  the  very  utmost  limit  the  work  of  the  Master 
— self  was  completely  subordinated.  Every  thought 
and  act  was  under  the  constant  guidance  and  direc 
tion  of  the  Maker,  and  all  for  His  glory  only.  An 
interesting  revelation  gleaned  from  this  correspond 
ence  is  the  seemingly  intuitive  perception,  or  clear 
discernment,  with  which  General  Jackson,  as  early  as 
the  year  1855,  penetrated  future  political  events,  and 
foresaw  not  only  a  coming  effort  at  separation  of  the 
states,  but  evidently  it  was  manifest  to  his  mind  that 
such  separation  would  be  accompanied  by  strife.1 

1  See  letters  of  date  Oct.  6,  1855,  P-  232'>  and  June  6»  l856»  PaSe  244.. 


16  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

So  expectant  was  he  of  this  that  he  stated  in  his 
letters  his  unwillingness  to  invest  more  than  a 
limited  part  of  his  money  in  a  contemplated  pur 
chase  of  public  lands,  in  any  of  the  free  states,  for 
fear  that  he  might  lose  the  property  so  acquired  by 
confiscation.  Further,  the  expression  in  his  letters 
leaves  no  uncertain  conjecture  as  to  where  he  ex 
pected  to  stand  when  such  a  crisis  should  arrive. 
Not  only  is  his  position  made  manifest  in  this  way, 
but  in  another  letter  of  near  the  same  date,  wherein 
he  makes  known  his  purpose  to  aid  a  younger  half 
brother  in  an  investment  in  lands,  he  strenuously 
objects  to  the  latter  locating  in  a  free  state,  for  the 
reason  that  should  war  come,  the  young  man  would 
by  such  residence  in  all  probability  be  found  on  the 
side  of  the  "  abolitionists  :  while  we  would  be  on  the 
opposite  side." 

Of  those  who  did  not  know  General  Jackson, 
some  have  classed  him  as  a  fanatic,  some  as  a  bigot, 
some  as  an  enthusiast,  and  still  others  as  a  fatalist. 
Those  who  knew  him  best  did  not  so  estimate  him. 
He  was  entirely  free  from  bigotry,  being  the  last 
person  to  believe  that  no  one  could  enter  the  king 
dom  of  heaven  except  by  the  particular  path  that 
he  had  selected.  He  did  not  have  prejudice  or 
irrational  partiality  for  a  particular  creed.  In  Mexico 
he  consulted  with  the  highest  Catholic  dignitaries, 
to  gather  all  the  information  attainable  about  the 
doctrines  and  teachings  of  that  church,  being  himself 
entirely  open  to  conviction.  After  his  return  from 
Mexico  he  investigated  the  doctrines  of  the  Episcopal 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      17 

church  far  enough  to  be  satisfied,  and  was  baptized 
therein.1  The  probability  is  that  he  would  have  been 
confirmed  in  that  church  had  he  not  been  ordered 
to  Fort  Meade,  Florida,  where  he  had  no  opportunity 
of  doing  so.  From  Fort  Meade  he  went  to  Lexing 
ton,  and  upon  further  investigation,  including  the 
study  of  the  Shorter  Catechism,  and  discussions  with 
able  and  intelligent  men,  particularly  John  B.  Lyle, 
with  whom  he  had  formed  a  close  friendship,  and  his 
former  firiend  Major  D.  H.  Hill,  he  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  church.  That  he  regarded  all  denomi 
nations  as  working  together  for  God's  glory  is  veri 
fied  abundantly.  In  support  of  this  view  it  is  only 
necessary  to  allude  to  the  fact  that  later  in  the  Civil 
War  he  made  special  effort  and  succeeded  in  pro 
curing  the  services  of  a  Catholic  priest  for  chaplain 
of  one  of  his  brigades  that  was  composed  principally 
of  persons  of  that  faith.1 

The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  that  this  occurred 
more  than  fifty  years  ago.  At  this  late  day  we  un 
fortunately  too  frequently  find  the  want  of  such  liber 
ality  in  those  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  Master. 
He  was  not  a  fanatic,  for  he  did  not  have  hatred  for 
those  opposed  to  him.  The  fanatic  is  not  only  the 
bigot,  but  he  seeks  to  compel  all  who  differ  with  him 
to  travel  his  path.  General  Jackson  was  incapable 

1  The  late  Dr.  Hunter  McGuire  stated  that  on  one  occasion  Jackson 
issued  an  order  directing  that  all  tents  be  left.  Whereupon  a  chaplain,  a 
Catholic  priest,  tendered  his  resignation,  assigning  as  a  reason  that  with 
out  the  privacy  of  a  tent  he  could  not  perform  his  clerical  duties.  Jackson, 
upon  inquiry,  permitted  the  one  exception.  The  priest  remained,  being 
the  only  person  in  the  command  having  a  tent  on  the  march. 


18  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

of  persecuting"  his  fellow-man  for  entertaining  opin 
ions  at  variance  with  his  own  religious  views.  He 
was  not  an  enthusiast,  for  that  is  a  form  of  fanaticism. 
His  helpful  friendship  was  extended  to  all  denomina 
tions  in  their  efforts  to  advance  the  Creator's  cause. 
I  have  time  and  again  seen  him  in  attendance  at 
services  of  other  denominations  than  his  own.  For 
those  who  were  not  religious  he  had  only  kind  feel 
ing  and  sympathy.  Being  sincere  himself  he  re 
spected  their  sincerity.  He  could  pray  for  them,  and 
strive  to  lead  a  life  that  would  be  an  example,  and 
offer  advice  when  seemly  or  sought.  It  would  have 
been  utterly  incompatible  with  his  temperament  to 
persecute  them.  Such  a  thought  would  have  been 
abhorrent  to  his  whole  nature.  He  was  not  a  fatalist. 
"  Fatalism  tends  to  apathy,  to  absolute  inaction.' ' 
"  His  belief  was  in  the  Providence  of  the  Scriptures, 
to  intelligent  and  hopeful  effort.  It  does  not  over 
throw  but  rather  establishes  the  agency  of  second 
causes  ;  for  it  teaches  that  God's  method  and  rule  of 
effectuating  events  only  through  them  is  as  stead 
fast  as  His  purposes  to  carry  out  His  decree.  Hence 
this  faith  produces  a  combination  of  courageous 
serenity,  with  cheerful  diligence  in  the  use  of  means. 
Jackson  was  as  laborious  as  he  was  trustful,  and 
laborious  precisely  because  he  was  trustful.  Every 
thing  that  preparation,  care,  forecast,  and  self-sacri 
ficing  toil  could  do  to  prepare  and  earn  success  he 
did.  His  belief  in  the  superintendence  of  God  was 
equal  to  his  industry."  l  General  Jackson  was  simply 

1  Dabney. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      19 

a  very  earnest  Christian,  he  was  deeply  consecrated, 
his  whole  soul  was  in  his  belief.  He  lived  his  religion 
every  hour  of  the  day.  He  certainly  believed  it  to 
be  the  one  and  only  object  overshadowing  all  else. 

He  accepted  the  Scriptures  and  Divine  injunctions 
as  true.  Having  done  this,  the  laws  of  God  were  to 
him  as  the  commands  of  a  superior  officer,  with  this 
difference,  that  a  disregard  of  the  latter  meant  pun 
ishment  and  disgrace  in  this  life  only,  while  a 
disregard  of  the  former  meant  to  him  eternal 
punishment.  His  own  expression  in  a  few  concise 
words,  in  a  letter  written  as  early  as  the  year  1850, 
when  he  was  but  twenty-six  years  of  age,  gives  a 
clearer  comprehension  of  General  Jackson's  religion 
than  anything  that  has  ever  been  written.  "  Rather 
than  wilfully  violate  the  known  will  of  God,  I  would 
forfeit  my  life.  It  may  seem  strange  to  you,  yet 
nevertheless  such  a  resolution  I  have  taken,  and  I 
will  by  it  abide."  l  Many  have  sacrified  their  lives 
rather  than  renounce  their  religious  convictions. 
Jackson  would  have  sacrificed  his  life  rather  than 
have  wilfully  violated  any  one  of  God's  command 
ments.  No  one  who  knew  General  Jackson  will  for 
a  moment  question  that  he  meant  literally  what  he 
wrote  in  the  above  quotation.  It  was  the  expression 
of  a  carefully  considered  opinion  on  the  part  of  a 
very  serious,  sincere  and  earnest  man.  If  he  ever 
made  a  careless  statement,  it  is  not  within  my  knowl 
edge.  And  yet,  notwithstanding  all  this  seriousness, 
he  was  not  without  a  sense  of  humor,  and  this  occa- 

1  Letter  of  date  March  8,  1850,  p.  159. 


20  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

sionally  overflows  in  his  letters,  and  one  in  reading 
can  imagine  the  hearty  laughter.  Mrs.  Preston,  his 
sister-in-law,  relates  having  seen  him  so  convulsed  as 
to  almost  fall  from  his  chair.  Jackson  was  a  man  of 
sound  and  excellent  judgment.  I  never  knew  or 
heard  of  his  making  a  mistake  in  a  business  venture. 
He  was  a  good  judge  of  men.  He  has  been  criti 
cized  more  or  less  for  some  of  his  staff  selections. 
Among  others,  of  a  Doctor  of  Divinity  for  his  Chief 
of  Staff.  Yet  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  have 
made  a  wiser  selection.  Aside  from  Dr.  Dabney's 
practical,  clear  judgment  and  discretion,  he  was  a 
close  observer  and  excellent  interpreter  of  human 
nature  ;  he  possessed  untiring  energy  and  industry. 
There  was  probably  not  a  man  in  Jackson's  army 
who  had  as  accurate  knowledge  of  the  topography 
of  the  country,  of  the  roads  and  streams  in  every 
section  of  that  part  of  Virginia  in  which  Jackson's 
military  operations  were  conducted,  as  did  Dr. 
Dabney.  Such  knowledge  was  invaluable  to  Jack 
son.  One  of  General  Jackson's  friends,  a  former 
cadet,  in  a  conversation  with  him,  on  one  occasion 

inquired  how  he  happened  to  appoint to  an 

important  position  when  he  was  so  unpopular. 
Jackson's  reply  was  :  "  As  he  has  no  friends,  he  will 
be  impartial  in  his  reports."  l 

While  a  professor  at  Lexington,  General  Jackson 
thought  seriously  at  times  of  entering  the  ministry. 
He  wrote  his  aunt,  Mrs.  Neale,  to  the  effect  that  the 

1  Related  by  Col.  J.  D.  H.  Ross  of  Lexington,  Va.f  to  whom  Jackson 
made  the  reply. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      21 

subject  of  becoming  a  herald  of  the  cross  had  often 
seriously  engaged  his  attention.  That  he  regarded 
it  as  the  most  noble  of  all  professions,  and  that  he 
would  not  be  surprised  were  he  to  die  upon  a  foreign 
field,  clad  in  ministerial  armor.  But  that  his  con 
viction  was  that  he  was  "  doing  good  here  and  that 
for  the  present  he  was  where  God  would  have  him 
be." l  Some  persons  who  did  not  know  General 
Jackson,  or  knew  him  but  slightly,  have  described 
him  as  being  eccentric.  I  do  not  recall  having  ob 
served  anything  unusual  in  this  respect,  certainly  not 
any  of  the  peculiarities  so  often  made  mention  of.2 
To  the  earnest  thinker,  who  tries  to  realize  what  life 
and  its  duties  are,  and  who  personally  knew  him, 
Jackson  did  not  appear  eccentric.  It  may  be  said 

1  Quoted  in  Mrs.  Jackson's  "  Life,  etc." 

*  A  number  of  persons  who  were  associated  with  General  Jackson  at 
different  periods  have  expressed  views  very  similar  to  my  own ;  among 
others,  Dr.  James  R.  Graham  of  Winchester,  Virginia,  with  whom  Jackson 
made  his  home  in  the  winter  of  1862.  He  writes,  "  During  all  that 
period  I  cannot  recall  a  single  act  or  word  which  I  could  have  wished 
were  different,  or  which  the  most  censorious  could  construe  to  his  dis 
advantage.  His  demeanor  and  conversation  were  those  of  a  dignified 
and  refined  gentleman,  thoroughly  familiar  with  all  the  requirements  of 
social  life.  Reports  were  rife  of  his  peculiarities.  After  he  had  been 
with  us  a  few  days,  I  remembered  these  reports  and  wondering  that  I  had 
failed  to  observe  anything  peculiar,  began  to  watch  for  the  oddities 
alleged  of  him.  But  somehow  my  powers  of  discernment  were  not  suffi 
cient  to  detect  what  was  so  patent  to  others,  and  I  never  did  discover  the 
remarkable  eccentricities  of  which  so  much  has  been  said  and  written. 
The  fact  is  they  did  not  exist  to  any  observable  extent.  His  manners  in 
company,  his  gait,  his  horsemanship  all  have  been  described  as  singular 
even  to  grotesqueness.  It  may  be  that  people  have  thought  to  make  him 
more  conspicuous  as  a  soldier  by  caricaturing  him  as  a  man.  But  what, 
ever  the  motive,  these  representations  have  the  least  possible  foundation 
in  fact." — Published  in  "  Things  and  Thoughts,"  Winchester,  Va.,  1901. 


22  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

that  he  was  peculiar  in  his  intense  earnest  religion. 
Were  there  more  such,  then  this  would  not  be  con 
sidered  a  peculiarity.  As  intimated,  Jackson  was 
unquestionably  a  strict  disciplinarian.  The  cadet 
who  through  his  own  inattention  worked  out  the 
wrong  problem  at  the  blackboard,  and  received  a 
low  instead  of  the  expected  high  mark ;  or  another 
who  worked  out  a  long  and  difficult  problem,  and 
was  told  that  he  had  omitted  something,  and  after 
laboriously  going  over  his  example  a  second  time 
with  the  same  result,  was  then  informed  that  he  had 
omitted  to  write  his  number  above  the  example  on 
the  board,  could  hardly  be  expected  to  entertain 
pleasant  feelings  towards  Major  Jackson,  until  in  the 
course  of  time  and  experience  the  conviction  would 
dawn  on  him  that  Jackson  was  right,  and  that  it  had 
been  to  each  of  them,  one  of  their  most  valuable  lessons 
in  life,  instructing  them  in  the  importance  of  close 
observation  and  attention.1  Nor  was  Jackson  likely 
to  have  much  patience  with  the  army  officer,  what 
ever  his  rank,  who  disregarded  his  orders,  or  who 
through  indolence  or  want  of  energy  neglected  a 
duty,  and  particularly  would  this  be  true  in  a  case 
bordering  on  insubordination.  It  required  a  satis 
factory  explanation  for  a  seeming  shortcoming.  To 
any  who  could  not  give  this,  Jackson  would  probably 
seem  unjust.  Hence  there  were  of  necessity  a  few 

1  These  incidents  were  related  to  me  by  one  of  the  two  cadets  referred 
to.  My  informant  had  gained  distinction  as  an  officer  in  the  Confederate 
army,  and  was  later  a  member  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  California,  and 
an  eminent  writer. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      23 

who  were  bitter  in  their  feelings  towards  him  at  times, 
and  this  feeling  naturally  extended  to  their  personal 
friends  and  connection.  It  is  not  surprising  that 
some  remnant  of  this  should  still  occasionally  appear 
on  the  surface.  Those  in  whose  bosoms  it  has 
found  lodgment  fully  realize  the  futility  of  attempt 
ing,  at  this  day,  unfavorable  criticisms  of  Jackson's 
military  career,  and  turn  their  efforts  to  the  less 
known,  and  attribute  to  him  personal  traits  which 
he  did  not  possess,  and  under  such  misrepresenta 
tion  attempt  ridicule,  and  yet  in  doing  this,  find 
it  necessary,  to  avoid  subjecting  themselves  to 
censure,  to  qualify  their  comments  by  saying, 
"Stonewall  Jackson  is  great  enough  to  have  no 
peculiarity  apologized  for,  etc.,  etc."  The  only 
possible  effect  of  such  misrepresentations  is  to  some 
what  ruffle  the  feelings  of  General  Jackson's  admirers. 
Scant  satisfaction  for  an  injustice  to  the  memory  of 
the  dead. 


I 

YOUTH  (1824-1842) 

WITHIN  a  short  time  after  the  death  of 
General  Jackson,  Dr.  Dabney,  his  former 
Adjutant  General,  at  the  instance  of  many 
friends  (including  Mrs.  Jackson),  wrote  a  most  valu 
able  biography  of  his  late  commander.  To  make 
his  work  as  complete  as  possible  he  endeavored  to 
cover  the  period  of  the  General's  boyhood.  As  the 
Civil  War  was  still  in  progress  he  was  precluded 
from  access  to  the  section  of  country  in  which  Jackson 
had  been  reared,  and  had  but  little  opportunity  for 
obtaining  information ;  and  as  General  Jackson  had 
never  been  disposed  to  dwell  upon  his  personal  ex 
periences  as  topics  of  conversation,  Mrs.  Jackson  was 
unable  to  impart  much  information  upon  the  circum 
stances  surrounding  her  husband's  boyhood  days. 
Consequently  Dr.  Dabney's  sketch  of  Jackson's 
youth  was  not  only  scant  in  material,  but  far  from 
accurate.  Those  who  have  written  of  General  Jack 
son  since  that  time,  knowing  of  Dr.  Dabney's 
reputation  for  accuracy  in  whatever  he  wrote,  have 
accepted  and  followed  his  account,  with  but  slight 
variation,  so  that  the  history  of  Jackson's  boyhood 
has  become  "  an  oft  told  tale,"  so  much  so  that  one's 
natural  inclination  is  to  pass  over  this  period  in 
silence.  Yet  under  the  circumstances  this  should 

24 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      25 

not  be  done,  for  it  is  due  Jackson's  memory,  as  well 
as  his  admirers,  that  the  facts,  as  far  as  known,  of 
that  part  of  his  life  be  at  least  accurately  if  but 
briefly  narrated.  That  there  have  been  found  no 
stirring  events  to  record  may  be  considered  rather 
creditable  than  otherwise  to  his  boyhood.  Incidents 
of  moment  in  a  boy's  career,  that  make  interesting 
copy,  are  not  infrequently  the  outgrowth  of  a  genius 
for  mischief.  There  is  however  something  of  adven 
ture  that  is  not  altogether  without  interest,  and 
indicates  a  desire  on  his  part,  at  a  very  early  age,  to 
seek  and  grasp  at  opportunity. 

Young  Jackson  was  born  in  Clarksburg,  Harrison 
County,  Virginia,  now  West  Virginia,  on  the  2ist 
day  of  January,  1824.  As  the  place  of  one's  nativity 
not  infrequently  in  after  years  becomes  a  matter  of 
doubt,  it  is  here  given  as  it  was  related  to  me  by  the 
family  physician  present  at  the  time  of  his  birth.1 
On  the  26th  day  of  March,  1827,  his  father  died,  just 
three  weeks  subsequent  to  the  death  of  the  eldest 
daughter  Elizabeth,  who  had  been  stricken  with 
fever,  and  from  whom  the  father,  in  nursing  her, 
had  contracted  the  disease,  leaving  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  an  orphan  at  little  more  than  three  years 
of  age.  He  was  named  by  his  mother,  Thomas,  for 
her  father  Thomas  Neale.  Afterwards,  when  nearly 
grown,  he  added  the  name  of  his  father,  Jonathan.2 

1  The  late  Dr.  James  McCalley  of  Clarksburg,  W.  Va. 

*  See  quotation  from  letter  from  Mr.  Sylvanus  White,  a  relative,  at 
page  37.  Also  receipt  given  as  constable  for  claim  for  collection  of  date 
July  10,  1841,  signed  Thos.  Jackson,  page  37.  Also  letters  from  Thomas 
to  his  sister  of  date  Sept.  8,  1844,  page  66,  and  Feb.  10,  1845,  page  68. 


26  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Jonathan  Jackson,  the  father,  was  a  lawyer  of  prom 
inence,  and  had  acquired  a  good  practice  in  a  town 
that  was  always  noted  for  having  an  exceptional 
Bar,  and  second  in  ability  to  none  in  the  state, 
Clarksburg.  General  Jackson's  father  was  born  in 
Randolph  (now  Upshur)  County,  (W.)  Va.,  Septem 
ber  25,  1790,  and  received  a  good  academic  educa 
tion  at  the  Randolph  Academy  at  Clarksburg.  He 
afterwards  took  a  course  of  law  in  the  office  of  his 
kinsman  Judge  John  G.  Jackson,  a  resident  of  said 
town,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  at  that  place  at 
the  December  term  of  Court,  1810,  he  having  just 
passed  his  twentieth  year,  an  unusual  distinction  for 
one  of  his  years.  At  that  period  a  lawyer  m  practice 
did  well  if  his  profession  yielded  a  support  for  him 
self  and  family.  If  he  acquired  anything  in  excess 
of  this,  it  was  almost  invariably  the  result  of  specula 
tion.  During  a  short  period  of  the  sixteen  years 
that  Jonathan  Jackson  practiced  law,  he  filled  the 
position  of  Collector  of  United  States  Excise  Tax  or 
Internal  Revenue.  It  may  also  be  mentioned  that 
in  1812  Jonathan  Jackson  and  others  raised  a  com 
pany  of  cavalry,  of  which  he  was  elected  First 
Lieutenant,  and  tendered  their  services  to  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  in  the  war  against  Eng 
land.1  The  presumption  is  that  the  company  was 
not  called  into  actual  service,  as  there  is  no  record  of 
a  cavalry  company  being  in  the  service  from  that 
section  of  the  state.  Upon  the  death  of  Jonathan 

1  See  records  of  Harrison   County   Court,  June  Term,    1812.     Also 
History  of  Harrison  County,  Haymond. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      27 

Jackson,  his  little  family  was  left  in  destitute  circum 
stances.  When  his  widow  had  sufficiently  recovered 
from  the  shock  of  this  double  affliction,  she  opened 
a  private  school,  and  in  that  way,  and  with  the  aid 
of  her  needle,  supported  herself  and  children  until 
her  second  marriage,  in  1830,  to  Captain  Blake  B. 
Woodson,  a  resident  lawyer  of  Clarksburg.  The 
newly  wedded  couple  shortly  afterwards  removed  to 
Fayette  County,  (West)  Virginia,  where  Captain 
Woodson  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Court.  Before 
leaving  Clarksburg,  Warren,  the  eldest  child,  was 
sent  to  make  his  home  with  his  uncle,  Alfred  Neale, 
near  Parkersburg,  and  with  whom  he  continued  to 
reside  for  a  number  of  years.  At  the  early  age  of 
sixteen  years  he  was  employed  to  teach  a  school  in 
Upshur  County,  and  from  that  time  forward  made 
his  home  there.  The  other  two  children,  Thomas 
and  Laura,  their  mother  took  with  her  to  Fayette 
County.  Mrs.  Woodson  continued  in  such  delicate 
health,  and  the  care  of  the  children  was  so  great  a 
tax  upon  her  strength,  that  within  a  few  months 
after  her  arrival  there,  she  consented  to  let  their 
Grandmother  Jackson  take  them  to  her  home  in 
Lewis  County,  some  four  miles  north  of  Weston, 
where  she  lived  with  her  unmarried  daughters  and 
sons.  The  grandmother  sent  one  of  these  sons  to 
Fayette  County  for  the  children.  Upon  his  arrival, 
and  the  object  of  his  visit  being  made  known,  there 
was  quite  a  commotion  on  the  part  of  the  children, 
who  were  much  averse  to  leaving  their  mother. 
Thomas,  now  six  years  of  age,  slipped  off  to  the 


28  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

near-by  woods,  where  he  concealed  himself,  only 
returning  to  the  house  at  nightfall.  The  uncle  after 
a  day  or  two  of  much  coaxing,  and  the  offer  of 
numerous  bribes,  finally,  with  the  mother's  aid, 
induced  the  children  to  make  the  visit,  a  journey  of 
several  days.  Upon  arrival  at  their  destination,  they 
became  the  pets  of  an  indulgent  grandmother,  two 
maiden  aunts,  and  several  bachelor  uncles,  all  of 
whom  were  noted  for  great  kindness  of  heart,  and 
strong  family  attachment.  A  few  months  thereafter 
the  children  were  sent  in  the  care  of  one  of  the  negro 
men,  Uncle  Robinson,  a  trusted  servant,  to  see  their 
mother,  then  on  her  death  bed.  They  arrived  in 
time  to  receive  her  dying  blessing  and  prayers  ; l 
and  then  returned  to  make  their  home  with  the 
grandmother.  It  was  a  happy  home  for  the  chil 
dren.  They  were  indulged  in  every  way,  and  to  an 
extent  well  calculated  to  spoil  them.2  In  August, 
1835,  death  claimed  the  much  loved  grandmother. 
The  two  maiden  aunts  had  in  the  meantime  married, 
and  were  living  in  their  own  houses.  As  only  the 
bachelor  uncles,  and  the  slaves,  were  left,  the  home 
for  the  children  was  broken  up.  Thomas,  now  nearly 
twelve  years  of  age,  was  received  into  the  household 
of  a  relative  by  the  name  of  Brake,  who  lived  a  few 
miles  from  Clarksburg.  His  sister  Laura,  after  some 
months  spent  with  her  aunts  in  the  vicinity,  was 
sent  to  reside  with  the  family  of  one  of  her  mother's 
brothers,  who  lived  a  few  miles  above  Parkersburg. 

1  See  letters  in  after  life,  referring  to  mother's  prayers. 

2  See  letter  of  August  2,  1845,  page  71. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      29 

Thomas  soon  tired  of  the  change  and  longed  for  the 
domicile  and  company  of  his  bachelor  uncles,  to 
whom  he  had  become  greatly  attached.  Whether 
with  the  knowledge  and  consent  of  the  relatives, 
with  whom  he  was  living,  or  whether,  according  to 
tradition,  he  took  French  leave  from  their  hospitable 
hearth  :  be  that  as  it  may  ;  within  a  day  or  two  from 
the  time  of  his  departure  he  made  his  appearance  at 
the  old  homestead  of  his  Grandfather  Jackson,  where 
his  Uncle  Cummins  and  the  other  bachelor  uncles 
still  resided  ;  no  doubt  to  his  own  great  pleasure, 
and  equally  to  that  of  the  uncles,  who  were  ex 
tremely  fond  of  him,  and  it  may  be  added  to  the  no 
less  enjoyment  of  the  family  slaves,  whose  well- 
known  partiality  and  affection  for  the  white  children 
was  ever  in  evidence,  and  the  sincerity  of  which 
was  unmistakable.  Dr.  Dabney  in  his  "  Life  of 
Jackson,"  in  relating  this  change  of  residence,  men 
tions  an  incident  which  he  says  is  most  fully  authen 
ticated,  occurring  when  young  Jackson  was  but  eight 
years  old  "  and  shows  that  nature  made  him  from 
the  first  of  another  mould  from  that  of  common 
men."  *  He  appeared  one  day  at  the  house  of  his 
father's  ^cousin,  Judge  John  G.  Jackson,  in  Clarks 
burg,  and  addressing  Mrs.  Jackson  by  the  title  of 
aunt,  which  he  usually  gave  her,  asked  her  to  give 
him  dinner.  While  he  was  eating  it,  he  remarked 
in  a  very  quiet  tone,  "  Uncle  Brake  and  I  don't 

1  This  was  subsequent  to  his  Grandmother  Jackson's  death,  which  had 
occurred  in  August,  1835.  Thomas  was  therefore  past  twelve  years  of 
age.-T.  J.  A. 


30  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

agree  ;  I  have  quit  him,  and  shall  not  go  back  any 
more."  His  kind  hostess  remonstrated  against  this 
purpose  as  a  childish  whim.  He  listened  most 
respectfully  to  all  her  reasoning,  but  returned  to  the 
same  resolute  declaration :  "  No  ;  Uncle  Brake  and  I 
can't  agree ;  I  have  quit,  and  shall  not  go  back  any 
more."  From  Judge  Jackson's  he  went  to  a  favorite 
cousin's,  lately  married  and  living  in  her  own  house, 
and  asked  leave  of  her  to  spend  the  night.  In  the 
course  of  the  evening  he  announced  his  purpose  of 
leaving  his  home,  and,  after  listening  respectfully  to 
her  remonstrances  likewise,  returned  resolutely  to 
his  old  formula — "  No ;  Uncle  Brake  and  I  don't 
agree ;  I  have  quit  there  ;  I  shall  not  go  back  any 
more."  Dr.  Dabney  then  gives  some  logical  reason 
for  this  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  young  boy.  A 
letter  from  Major  Jackson,  written  to  me  some 
twenty  years  later,  in  1855,  not  only  furnishes 
ample  proof  of  his  sojourn  with  his  Uncle  Brake, 
the  truth  of  which  fact  has  been  questioned  by  some, 
but  affords  a  probable  solution  of  the  cause  for  the 
change  of  residence  which  took  place,  as  well  as  for 
his  very  positive  and  pronounced  opposition  to 
returning  [to  this  uncle.  The  letter  referred  to  was 
in  reply  to  one  I  had  written  to  him,  wherein,  among 
other  things,  I  had  mentioned  being  thrown  from  a 
mule.  I  quote  from  the  reply :  "  I  remember  having 
once  been  served  pretty  much  the  same  way  by  one 
of  those  kicking  creatures.  It  happened  in  this  way  : 
I  went  with  Cousin  Wm.  Brake 1  to  bring  some  mules 

1 A  son  of  the  uncle  with  whom  he  was  making  his  home. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      31 

home  one  Sunday  morning  and  as  I  was  riding 
down  a  long  hill,  somehow  or  other  I  not  only  got 
over  the  mark  across  his  shoulders,  but  he  got  me 
over  his  head,  and  jumped  clear  over  me  ;  and  from 
that  day  to  this  I  have  not  been  very  fond  of  mule 
riding."  He  doubtless  thought  that  this  uncle  had 
not  shown  a  sufficient  care  for  him  in  allowing  him 
to  ride  an  animal  without  knowing  that  it  was  gentle 
and  safe.  Then  again,  from  what  he  stated  in  after 
years  as  to  his  mother's  injunction  at  their  last  inter 
view,  he  would  be  likely  to  feel  that  were  she  living 
her  consent  would  not  have  been  given  to  his  going 
a  distance  to  fetch  mules  on  the  Sabbath  day.  At 
his  Uncle  Cummins'  home  he  attended  the  country 
school,  and  made  himself  useful ;  for  he  bore  the 
reputation  of  being  an  industrious  boy.  Some  two 
years  later  his  brother  Warren,  who  had  been  teach 
ing  school  for  some  time  past  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
relatives  with  whom  he  resided,  stopped  to  see 
Thomas,  on  his  way  to  visit  their  sister  Laura,  near 
Parkersburg.  Nothing  was  more  natural  than  that 
Thomas  should  be  eager  to  join  his  brother  for  the 
visit  to  their  sister.  As  Warren  was  a  bright  youth 
with  steady  habits  (his  associates,  some  of  whom 
are  still  living,  bear  witness  to  his  high  Christian 
character),  nothing  was  more  natural  than  that  a 
kind-hearted  uncle  like  Cummins  E.  Jackson  would 
consent  to  Thomas'  accompanying  him,  a  distance 
of  some  eighty  miles.  The  journey  was  undertaken 
and  the  boys  arrived  finally  at  their  destination, 
where  they  visited  their  sister  at  the  comfortable 


32  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

home  ol  their  mother's  brother,  Mr.  Alfred  Neale, 
on  a  beautiful  island  in  the  Ohio  River.  They 
there  learned  that  this  island  containing  some  150 
acres  had  been  purchased  by  this  uncle  and  one  of 
his  brothers,  and  that  in  clearing  up  the  land  the 
uncles  had  sold  sufficient  cord-wood  from  it  to  the 
passing  steamboats  to  not  only  pay  for  the  clearing 
but  for  the  cost  of  the  land,  a  magnificent  and 
valuable  farm.  One  can  imagine  the  impression 
made  upon  the  minds  of  Warren  and  Thomas, 
orphan,  penniless  boys  as  they  were,  when  they 
looked  upon  this  farm  and  realized  in  what  manner 
the  uncles  had  paid  for  it.  The  call  was  as  strong 
as  was  that  of  California  to  the  Argonauts  of  '49,  to 
go  farther  down  the  river,  and  do  likewise.  After 
visiting  their  sister  they  continued  their  journey 
down  the  river  some  twenty  miles  to  the  old  town  of 
Belleville,  where  one  of  their  father's  sisters  and  her 
husband,  a  Mr.  George  White,  resided.  After  visiting 
this  uncle  and  aunt,  and  to  whom  the  boys  were 
much  attached,  they  continued  down  the  river  in 
quest  of  fortune.  Thomas  a  few  years  later  refers 
to  this  visit  in  a  letter  to  his  sister  who  was  at  the 
time  'making  her  home  with  these  relatives.  It  is 
dated  West  Point,  March  18,  1843. 

I  feel  well  pleased  at  your  having  a  home  with  a  grate 
ful  aunt,  one  to  whom  I  shall  ever  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude. 
I  had  the  honor  of  making  for  a  few  weeks  my  abode 
within  her  hospitable  doors,  and  of  amiable  ladies  I  think 
she  is  the  most  amiable.  Therefore  I  will  expect  that 
you  will  spare  no  pains  to  render  yourself  worthy  of  their 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      33 

confidence,  and  in  order  to  do  so  there  is  but  one  path, 
and  that  is  amiable  conduct  towards  them  and  all  others, 
and  industrious  habits.  I  am  well  satisfied  with  my  situa 
tion  and  surrounded  by  apparent  friends.  Give  my  best 
regards  to  uncle  and  aunt.  Your  most  endeared  and 
loving  brother,  THOS.  J.  JACKSON. 

The  aunt  and  uncle  referred  to  were  kind-hearted, 
sensible  people,  who  no  doubt  used  every  proper 
effort  to  persuade  the  boys  from  their  venture,  but 
without  avail.  This  is  by  no  means  surprising,  in 
view  of  occurrences  that  have  taken  place  since  that 
time,  and  with  which  many  persons  still  living  are 
familiar.  In  the  gold  excitement  in  California  in 
1849  and  following  years,  numbers  of  boys  of  sixteen, 
some  possibly  younger,  made  the  journey  across  the 
plains  to  the  Pacific,  often  with  the  parents'  consent 
— presumably  given  with  reluctance.  Then  again 
in  1 86 1,  how  many  boys  of  fourteen  and  fifteen  years 
of  age,  throughout  the  Southern  States,  enlisted  in 
the  army ;  most  of  those  of  that  age  who  did  not  go 
remaining  at  home  only  by  the  exercise  of  the 
strongest  parental  control.  The  two  brothers  trav 
elled  as  far  south  as  the  southwest  corner  of  Kentucky, 
where  they  remained  throughout  the  winter  and 
spring.  As  to  their  life  there  little  is  known,  as 
they  were  ever  afterwards  reluctant  to  talk  much  of 
that  experience.  They  did  not  acquire  the  fortune, 
however.  The  impression  among  the  friends  and 
relatives  was  that  Warren  wanted  to  remain,  but 
that  Thomas,  presumably  homesick,  persisted  in 
returning.  They  took  passage  by  steamboat,  land- 


34:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

ing  at  the  home  of  their  uncle,  Alfred  Neale,  on  the 
island  before  described,  each  the  proud  possessor  of 
a  new  trunk  containing  their  personal  effects.  Thus 
through  the  failure  of  the  expedition  the  West 
probably  lost  two  valuable  citizens,  while  the  South 
gained  a  great  leader  for  her  future  struggle  for 
independence.  Another  instance  of  the  effect  of 
some  seemingly  insignificant  happening  upon  future 
events  of  great  moment,  the  guidance  of  Providence. 
This  recalls  to  my  mind  a  favorite  quotation  of  General 
Jackson,  a  couplet  that  I  have  heard  him  repeat : 

"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way 
His  wonders  to  perform." 

The  boys  remained  but  a  few  days  visiting  their 
sister  and  younger  half  brother,  and  then  departed 
for  their  respective  homes.  As  they  were  to  journey 
on  foot,  they  had  little  use  for  the  new  trunks. 
Thomas  gave  his  to  his  little  sister,  Laura,  and  which 
she  treasured  and  kept  to  the  day  of  her  death,  but  re 
cently  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  Warren  giving 
his  to  his  little  half  brother,  Wirt.1  Warren  soon  after 
their  return  resumed  his  school  teaching,  and  Thomas 
his  duties  with  his  Uncle  Cummins.  The  health  of 
both  boys  was  a  good  deal  impaired  by  the  climate 
and  malaria  of  the  Mississippi,  Warren  dying,  some 
three  years  later  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  of  consump 
tion,  attributed  by  his  friends  to  be  due  to  exposure 
on  this  western  river  expedition.  As  an  indication 

1  The  above  account  of  this  journey  I  had  in  part  from  my  mother,  in 
part  from  the  two  uncles,  therein  referred  to,  and  from  other  relatives. 
— T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      35 

of  the  high  esteem  in  which  this  youth  was  held  in 
the  vicinity  where  he  had  made  his  home  for  the 
last  three  or  four  years  of  his  life,  it  may  be  men 
tioned  that  in  a  subsequent  rearranging  of  the 
Districts  of  the  county,  the  District  embracing  this 
vicinity  was  named  for  him,  "  Warren,"  and  which 
name  it  still  retains.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  Thomas, 
through  the  influence  of  his  uncle,  Cummins  E.  Jack 
son,  was  appointed  by  the  County  Court  of  his 
county  (Lewis)  to  the  office  of  constable  for  his 
Magisterial  District.  This  clearly  indicates  the  in 
fluence  of  the  uncle  in  the  county,  and  also  the  con 
fidence  of  the  uncle  in  the  judgment  and  character 
of  his  nephew.  For  a  boy  of  but  sixteen  years  to 
have  received  such  an  appointment,  he  unquestion 
ably  must  have  impressed  the  Court  that  he  possessed 
character  and  judgment  in  advance  of  his  years. 
While  the  office  of  constable  is  not  a  very  important 
one,  yet  there  are  responsibilities  connected  with  it 
that  make  it  very  essential  that  the  incumbent  be 
trustworthy,  and  capable  of  exercising  discretion  in 
the  discharge  of  the  duties  pertaining  thereto ;  other 
wise  the  sureties  on  his  official  bond  might  be  sub 
jected  to  heavy  damages  through  a  false  arrest, 
levying  wrongfully  or  through  error  on  property  not 
that  of  the  debtor,  and  all  of  which  sometimes 
happens.  Cummins  E.  Jackson  was  a  man  of  con 
siderable  wealth  and  prominence.  There  was  no 
better  judge  of  men  than  he.  He  not  only  vouched 
for  the  proper  conduct  of  the  office  by  Thomas,  but 
he  and  another  uncle  of  the  neighborhood,  John 


36  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

White,  who  also  knew  Thomas  well,  became  sureties 
on  his  official  bond. 

The  father  admitted  to  practise  at  the  Bar  at  twenty 
years  of  age,  Warren  the  eldest  son  given  charge  of 
a  school  at  sixteen  or  even  younger,  Thomas  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  appointed  to  the  office  of  constable, 
would  indicate  not  only  ambition  but  more  than 
ordinary  ability  in  the  father  and  sons.  It  may  be 
here  mentioned  as  worthy  of  note  that,  in  the  adjoin 
ing  county  of  Harrison,  there  served  as  constable  a 
young  man  who  afterwards  became  Governor  of 
Virginia,  Joseph  Johnson. 

Cummins  E.  Jackson  could  foresee  that  the  ex 
perience  to  be  gained  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  this  office  would  be  an  invaluable  training  to  a 
young  man  who  had  to  battle  with  the  world  for  a  live 
lihood.  The  knowledge  he  would  acquire  of  men,  their 
business  methods,  their  resourcefulness  in  avoiding 
the  just  demands  of  their  creditors,  the  many  evasions 
practised,  would  give  young  Jackson  a  varied  and  ex 
ceedingly  useful  experience.  Besides  a  good  deal  of 
practical  knowledge  of  the  law  was  to  be  acquired  by 
the  official  in  the  exercise  of  his  duties,  all  of  which 
counted  for  more  to  a  young  man  than  anything  to  be 
gained  at  the  best  schools  in  the  same  period  of  time. 

Nothing  unusual  happened  during  this  incum 
bency,  the  duties  of  the  office  being  discharged  in  a 
methodical,  businesslike  manner,  fully  justifying  the 
judgment  and  confidence  of  his  uncle.  In  this  con 
nection  the  following  quotation  is  from  a  recent 
letter  that  I  received  from  Mr.  Sylvanus  White  of 


HU  &•  \ 


J 


,\?f 


1.1 


2      £ 

&> 


Nl 


.  J, 


li 


I      ( 


\    'v 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      3V 

Los  Angeles,  California,  a  former  resident  of  Lewis 
County,  (West)  Virginia,  and  a  near  relative,  con 
temporary  and  occasional  associate  of  young  Jack 
son.  He  says,  "  The  Jackson  children  (referring  to 
Thomas  and  his  brother  and  sister)  were  never  given 
a  home  by  my  parents.  Thomas  used  to  visit  us 
occasionally — Tom,  as  he  called  himself  when  a 
boy.  I  have  been  told  that  he  gave  himself  his 
father's  name,  Jonathan,  and  that  he  did  not  take 
this  name  until  he  was  sixteen  or  eighteen  years 
old."  Referring  to  the  period  when  young  Jackson 
was  constable  he  relates,  "  I  went  with  him  on  one 
occasion  (I  suppose  father  sent  me)  to  show  him  the 
near  way  through  the  forest,  over  the  hills  some 
three  or  four  miles,  to  a  man's  house  by  the  name  of 
Dennis,  whom  he  wished  to  serve  with  a  legal 
process.  He  left  his  horse  at  father's,  and  we  went 
on  foot.  He  served  his  papers,  and  we  returned 
home."  "I  remember  to  have  seen  him  and 
William  Stringer  have  a  very  hot  political  discus 
sion  one  day  in  Weston.  Stringer  \/as  an  ardent 
Whig;  he  was  perhaps  forty-five  years  of  age. 
Thomas  would  not  stand  having  his  word  disputed, 
but  went  and  brought  papers  and  proved  his  point. 
Father  was  a  security  for  him  in  his  official  capacity. 
Thomas  never  superintended  his  uncle's  farm,  or  the 
mill  work  ;  some  of  the  uncles  were  always  at  home. 
He  was  a  great  favorite  of  mine,  one  of  the  most  sin 
cere,  upright,  polite  persons  I  ever  knew.  The  bi 
ographies  written  of  him  as  to  his  early  life  are  in 
many  respects  erroneous." 


II 

ANCEStRY 

A  BRIEF  resume  of  General  Jackson's  ancestry 
should  be  given  the  reader  at  this  period  of 
the  sketch.     The  Jackson  ancestry  has  not 
been  traced,  nor  has  any  effort  been  made  to  do  so, 
beyond  the  generation  that  came  to  America.     The 
following  letter   from  the  pen  of  the  late  Captain 
George  W.   Jackson  of   Weston,    W.   Va.,   a  first 
cousin  of  General  Jackson's  father,  addressed  to  Mr. 
Jonathan    Arnold,    the    brother-in-law    of    General 
Jackson,  bearing  on  this  subject  is  here  given. 

Weston,  May  20,  1871. 
DEAR  SIR  : 

I  regret  that  I  did  not  see  you  when  you  were  in 
Weston.  As  I  understood  from  J.  C.  Jackson  you  de 
sired  some  information  relative  to  our  family.  I  believe 
that  I  can  give  you  the  requisite  information  that  you 
can  rely  on.  I  am  now  in  my  eighty-first  year,  and 
was  about  thirteen  or  fourteen  years  old  when  my  grand 
father  (John  Jackson)  died  in  Clarksburg.  I  was  placed 
in  the  mill  with  him  as  he  could  not  be  induced  to  leave 
it,  as  it  occupied  his  mind,  etc.  Many  of  the  facts  that  I 
relate  I  had  from  him,  some  from  my  grandmother,  some 
from  my  father  (George  Jackson),  and  all  confirmed 
by  a  detailed  statement  of  my  sister,  (Mrs.)  Williams, 
who  being  intimate  with  grandmother  for  more  than  fifty 

38 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      39 

years,  had  them  often  repeated  by  her.  John  Jackson,  my 
grandfather,  was  born  in  Ireland.1  He  with  his  father 
and  two  brothers  moved  to  London  when  he  was  a  child. 
John  Jackson's  father  died  when  he  was  young.  After 
arriving  at  manhood  he  emigrated  to  Maryland ; 2  he  settled 
in  Cecil  County.  He  there  married  Elizabeth  Cummins, 
and  remained  some  time  after  the  birth  of  George  Jack 
son,  my  father,  and  removed  to  Moorefield,  thence  to 
Pendleton  County,  thence  to  Buckhannon,  thence  to 
Clarksburg,  where  both  died, — grandfather  at  eighty- 
five,3  and  grandmother  at  a  hundred  and  one  years  of 
age.  Elizabeth  Cummins  and  an  orphan  sister  were  born 
in  England  and  raised  by  a  maiden  aunt ;  her  sister  mar 
ried  and  emigrated  to  the  city  of  New  York.  Elizabeth 
would  have  gone  with  her,  but  was  prevailed  on  to 
remain  by  a  promise  that  at  her  aunt's  death  she  would 
leave  her  one  thousand  pounds.  She  (the  aunt)  died  in 
two  or  three  years.  Elizabeth  after  obtaining  her  money 
sailed  for  New  York  in  search  of  her  sister.  After  her 
arrival  and  diligent  search,  ascertained  that  she,  her 
husband  and  two  children  had  died  of  the  yellow  fever 
the  year  preceding.  She  then  went  to  Maryland  and 
found  some  acquaintances  from  England  with  whom  she 
lived  until  she  married  my  grandfather  in  1755.  She 
often  assured  my  sister  and  felt  proud  of  it  that  the  land 
patented  in  her  name  including  the  town  of  Buckhannon 
was  paid  for  in  gold  she  had  brought  from  England  and 
repeatedly  showed  with  seeming  pleasure  a  few  guineas 
she  retained  till  her  death.  The  question  has  often  been 
asked  me  if  any  relationship  existed  between  my  father  and 
General  Andrew  Jackson,  and  upon  inquiry  of  my  father 
on  that  subject,  I  obtained  the  following  facts.  Andrew 

1  In  the  year  1719.         2In  the  year  1748.         3  September  25,  1804. 


40  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Jackson  and  my  father  were  members  of  Congress  in  '96 
or  '97  or  '98,  became  intimate,  and  in  after  life  corre 
sponded,  particularly  during  the  exciting  campaigns  of 
1824  and  '28.  While  in  Congress  they  compared  notes 
as  to  the  probability  of  relationship  ;  they  settled  on  this 
alone,  that  their  parents  both  lived  in  the  same  parish  in 
Ireland  ;  although  they  had  no  data  to  establish  relation 
ship  and  never  claimed  it,  they  believed  it  existed,  etc. 
Both  were  of  Protestant  families. 

With  respect,  etc., 
Jon*,  Arnold.  GEO.  W.  JACKSON. 

John  Jackson,  named  in  the  above  letter,  is  de 
scribed  by  another  grandson,  Judge  John  G.  Jackson, 
in  a  letter  written  by  him  to  his  wife's  sister,  Mrs. 
Dolly  Madison,  "as  a  man  of  great  corporeal 
strength,  and  who  had  spent  his  long  life  in  noble 
and  virtuous  pursuits,  which  endear  men  to  their 
acquaintance."  "  I  saw  him  breathe  his  last  in  the 
arms  of  my  aged  grandmother,  and  can  truly  add 
that  to  live  and  die  as  he  did  would  be  the  excess  of 
happiness."  The  same  John  Jackson  and  his  eldest 
son  George  visited  the  vicinity  of  the  present  town 
of  Buckhannon  as  early  as  the  year  1769.  He  made 
what  was  termed  a  tomahawk  claim  at  the  confluence 
of  Turkey  Run  with  the  Buckhannon  River.  They 
cleared  some  land  and  planted  a  crop  of  corn,  and 
returned  to  their  home,  east  of  the  Alleghany  Moun 
tain.  In  the  following  autumn  they  went  back  with 
the  intention  to  harvest  and  store  their  corn,  with  the 
view  of  moving  the  family  there  later.  Upon  their 
arrival  they  found  that  the  buffalo  had  destroyed 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      41 

their  crop.  This  necessitated  delay  in  removal  until 
the  following  year,  1770.  John  Jackson  and  his  two 
eldest  sons,  George  and  Edward,  served  in  the  war 
for  Independence  until  its  close.  George  held  the 
commission  of  captain.  Whether  the  father  and 
brother  held  commissions  in  the  army  is  unknown ; 
tradition  says  they  did.  The  wife  of  John  Jackson 
is  described  as  a  large,  strong-minded,  energetic, 
courageous  woman,  of  great  strength  of  character, 
which  traits  were  inherited  by  many  of  her  descend 
ants.  The  members  of  the  family  mentioned  bore 
each  his  full  share  in  defending  the  settlements  from 
the  attacks  of  the  Indians,  and  were  ever  vigilant  and 
dependable  in  any  emergency.  George  Jackson,  the 
eldest  son,  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Convention 
that  adopted  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and 
he  afterwards  served  in  the  fourth,  sixth  and  seventh 
Congresses,1  his  first  term  being  the  last  one  of 
Washington's  administration,  and  was  held  in  Phila 
delphia.  In  later  life  he  removed  to  Zanesville,  Ohio, 
and  represented  his  county  in  the  Ohio  Legislature 
and  was  later  a  member  of  the  Senate  of  that  state. 
His  eldest  son,  John  G.  Jackson,  was  elected  to  the 
Virginia  Legislature  of  1797,  and  several  succeeding 
terms.  He  was  appointed  and  commissioned  sur 
veyor  of  government  lands  west  of  the  Ohio  River. 
He  was  elected  and  served  in  the  eighth,  ninth,  tenth, 

!The  last  Congressional  Directory,  1913,  gives  Georgejackson  mem 
bership  in  the  fourth  Congress  only;  but  as  this  directory  contains  a 
number  of  inaccuracies,  the  earlier  directories  naming  him  as  a  member 
of  the  fourth,  sixth  and  seventh  Congresses  have  been  accepted  as  the 
better  authority.— T.  J.  A. 


42  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

eleventh,  thirteenth  and  fourteenth  Congresses,  com 
mencing  in  1803.  He  was  appointed  and  commis 
sioned  brigadier-general  of  the  Virginia  Militia.  In 
the  year  1819  he  was  appointed  United  States  Dis 
trict  Judge  for  the  District  of  Western  Virginia,  and 
held  that  office  till  his  death,  March  29,  1825.  He 
married  Miss  Mary  Payne,  sister  of  the  famed  Dolly 
Madison,  and  also  a  sister  of  Mrs.  George  Steptoe 
Washington,  whose  husband  was  a  nephew  of  George 
Washington,  and  one  of  the  administrators  of  his 
estate.  This  marriage  of  John  Q.  Jackson  and  Mary 
Payne  is  said  to  have  taken  place  in  the  White 
House,  being  the  first  ceremony  of  the  kind  solem 
nized  therein.1  While  serving  in  Congress,  John  G. 
Jackson  fought  a  duel  with  Congressman  Pearson  of 
South  Carolina,  in  which  he  was  wounded  in  the 
hip,  thereby  causing  a  lameness  for  life.2 

Another  son  of  George  Jackson,  Edward  B.  Jack 
son,  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1820,  and  upon  ex 
piration  of  his  term  was  reflected.  A  grandson  of 
this  same  George,  William  L.  Jackson,  was  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor  of  Virginia ;  he  was  afterwards 
elected  and  served  as  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Superior 
Court  in  that  state  and  later  was  a  brigadier-general 
in  the  Confederate  army.  After  the  Civil  War  he 
removed  to  Kentucky  where  he  was  elected  Circuit 
Judge,  and  held  that  position  until  his  death.  An- 

1  On  the  authority  of  their  eldest  daughter,  the  late  Mrs.  John  J.  Allen, 
wife  of  Judge  Allen,  long  a  member  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Virginia, 
who  stated  that  she  had  often  heard  it  related  by  her  parents. 

'  Raymond's  "  History  of  Harrison  County."  I  have  also  heard  my 
father  relate  the  same  incident. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      43 

other  relative,  Jacob  B.  Jackson,  was  Governor  of 
West  Virginia.  The  latter' s  brother,  John  J.  Jackson, 
Jr.,  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  United  States  District 
Court  for  the  District  of  West  Virginia,  which  posi 
tion  he  filled  for  more  than  forty  years.  Another 
brother,  James  Monroe  Jackson,  was  also  on  the 
bench  for  many  years  in  the  same  state,  and  as  a 
member  of  the  West  Virginia  Constitutional  Conven 
tion,  in  1872,  gained  as  much  distinction  as  any 
member  of  that  body.  Edward  Jackson,  the  second 
son  of  John  Jackson,  and  grandfather  of  Thomas,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  married  Mary  Hadden,  the 
daughter  of  David  Hadden,  October  17,  1783. 
David  Hadden,  with  other  members  of  his  family, 
emigrated  from  New  Jersey,  in  which  colony  the 
name  had  long  been  prominent,  and  settled  in  the 
beautiful  Tygarts  Valley,  in  what  was  afterwards 
Randolph  County,  Virginia,  in  1772.  They  selected 
for  their  homes  the  choicest  lands  in  that  valley  and 
were  soon  recognized  as  leading  men  in  the  com 
munity.  John  Hadden,  a  son  of  David,  Edward 
Jackson,  his  brother-in-law,  and  John  Jackson,  the 
father  of  Edward,  were  each  members  of  the  first 
court  held  in  Randolph  County  in  1787,  having  been 
appointed  and  commissioned  as  such  officials  by  the 
Governor  of  Virginia.  The  same  John  Hadden  and 
one  John  Wilson  were  the  first  members  to  represent 
the  newly  organized  county  in  the  State  Legislature  ; 
and  it  has  been  common  repute  from  that  time  to 
the  present  that  the  county  at  no  time  has  been  so 
ably  represented.  Edward  Jackson  was  a  merchant 


44  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

in  Clarksburg  as  late  as  the  spring  of  1 786.  Pre 
sumably  he  was  the  first  merchant  in  the  town.  As 
illustrative  of  the  custom  of  that  time,  a  young 
daughter  of  David  Hadden,  accompanied  by  a 
married  sister,  travelled  from  her  home  on  horse 
back  over  a  mountain  trail  in  1788  to  Clarksburg, 
a  distance  of  seventy  or  seventy-five  miles,  to  visit 
their  relatives  there,  and  to  attend  a  protracted 
meeting  that  was  to  be  held  at  that  place.  An  ac 
count  is  given  of  the  journey  here  described,  but 
without  mentioning  names,  in  the  diary  kept  by 
Bishop  Asbury,  who  attended  and  conducted  the 
meeting.1  Upon  returning  through  the  wilderness 
the  unmarried  daughter,  Margaret,  parted  with  her 
sister  at  the  latter' s  home  near  the  site  of  the  present 
town  of  Buckhannon,  and  continued  her  journey 
alone,  a  distance  of  some  forty  or  more  miles.  Dark 
coming  on  in  the  wilderness  near  Roaring  Creek, 
she  could  not  distinguish  the  bridle  path  ;  she  there 
upon  tied  her  horse  fast  to  a  sapling  and  crawled 
under  a  cliff  of  rocks  and  slept  until  it  was  sufficiently 
light  in  the  morning  to  discern  the  trail,  when  she 
continued  her  journey  home.  Wild  animals,  such 
as  panther,  catamounts,  wolves  and  bear,  were 
plentiful  in  that  section,  even  to  a  much  later  period, 
aside  from  the  not  infrequent  incursions  of  raiding 
Indians.  Only  a  few  years  prior  to  the  date  men 
tioned,  her  uncle,  a  brother  of  David  Hadden,  who 
with  his  family  had  settled  a  few  miles  below  David 
in  the  valley,  was  with  his  family,  excepting  one  son, 

1  Bishop  Asbury's  diary  was  afterwards  published  in  book  form. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      45 

murdered  by  the  Indians,  their  house  and  its  contents 
pillaged  and  burned.  This  was  'witnessed  by  the 
son,  William,  who  was  concealed  near  by  in  a  sink 
hole,  covered  with  driftwood,  but  powerless  to 
render  any  aid.  The  Indians  searched  for  him  in 
the  drift,  but  failed  to  find  him.  In  consequence 
of  the  barbarity  which  he  witnessed  upon  that 
occasion  he  became  the  unrelenting  foe  of  the 
Indians,  and  when  they  ceased  coming  to  that 
section  he  followed  in  their  footsteps  further  west,  as 
they  retired,  until  all  trace  of  him  was  lost.1  Edward 
Jackson,  the  grandfather  of  Thomas,  held  various 
prominent  official  positions  in  Randolph  County. 
About  the  year  1801  he  removed  to  that  part  of 
Harrison  County,  now  within  the  confines  of  Lewis 
County,  and  where  Thomas  afterwards  made  his 
home  with  his  grandmother  and  her  family.  In 
1803  and  1804  he  represented  Harrison  County  in 
the  Legislature  at  Richmond.  He  died  December 
26,  1828,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age.  Of  the 
ancestry  of  General  Jackson's  mother,  the  earliest 
one  of  whom  there  is  any  knowledge,  and  this  is  by 
tradition  in  the  family  only,  was  Daniel  Neale,  of 
whom  it  was  said  that  he  held  a  commission  in  the 
English  army.  He  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  1649, 
and  located  in  Northumberland  County,  Virginia. 
His  property  in  Ireland,  it  was  represented,  had 
been  confiscated  during  the  war  of  the  Common 
wealth,  and  he  was  forced  to  leave  the  country  be 
cause  of  political  and  religious  troubles. 

1 «  History  Randolph  County,"  Maxwell. 


46  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

In  the  year  1692  Thomas  Neale,  a  descendant  and 
presumably  a  grandson  of  Daniel,  was  commissioned 
by  Royal  Patent  Postmaster  General  of  Virginia  and 
all  the  other  colonies.  This  was  the  first  postal 
service  established  in  the  colonies.  It  may  be  men 
tioned  that  the  post-rider  did  not  start  on  his  route 
until  a  sufficient  number  of  letters  had  been  lodged 
to  defray  all  expenses  of  his  journey.  In  years  after 
wards  Benjamin  Franklin  was  appointed  and  com 
missioned  to  this  same  office,  and  continued  therein 
until  near  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution. 
Richard  Neale,  a  descendant,  presumably  a  grand 
son  of  the  said  Thomas,  resided  in  Westmoreland 
County,  Virginia.  Some  time  subsequent  to  the  year 
1767,  he  and  his  family  removed  to  Loudon  County 
in  the  same  state.1  About  the  year  1800  Richard 
Neale's  son,  Thomas  Neale,  father  of  General  Jack 
son's  mother,  along  with  his  brothers,  George,  Will 
iam,  Richard  and  James,  removed  from  Loudon 
County  and  settled  in  Wood  County,  (West)  Virginia. 
Thomas  had  previously  married  Margaret  Wynne  of 
Loudon  County.  They  had  eleven  children  who 
arrived  at  maturity.  The  third  child  of  this  marriage, 
Julia  Beckwith  Neale,  the  mother  of  the  subject  of 

1  The  information  here  given  regarding  the  Neale  family  is  from  letters 
received  by  me  from  Mrs.  Alfred  Neale  of  near  Parkersburg,  W.  Va.,  a 
sisiter-in-law  of  General  Jackson's  mother,  a  lady  of  unusual  information 
and  intelligence,  and  whose  name  appears  occasionally  herein  in  corre 
spondence  with  Major  Jackson.  Mrs.  Neale  has  now  been  dead  many 
years,  and  while  she  was  very  careful  in  any  statements  of  facts,  it  is  to 
be  regretted  that  she  failed  to  disclose  the  source  of  her  information  as  to 
the  Neale  ancestry. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      47 

this  sketch,  was  born  in  the  latter  county,  February 
29,  I7Q8.1  She  was  married  to  Jonathan  Jackson  in 
Wood  County  in  the  year  1818.  Immediately 
following  their  marriage  they  located  in  Clarksburg, 
(West)  Virginia,  where  her  husband  had  already 
established  himself  in  the  practise  of  the  law,  as  has 
heretofore  been  stated,  and  where  they  continued  to 
reside  until  his  death,  and  in  which  place  she  re 
mained  until  after  her  second  marriage. 

In  several  of  the  biographies  that  have  been 
written  of  General  Jackson,  as  well  as  in  some  other 
publications,  mention  is  made  of  the  absence  of  re 
ligious  sentiment,  and  the  lax  methods  that  prevailed 
in  that  section  of  Virginia  in  early  or  pioneer  times, 
and  down  to  and  including  the  period  of  young 
Jackson's  youth.  A  careful  investigation  of  condi 
tions  existing  in  that  section  of  the  country,  and 
covering  the  entire  period  referred  to,  does  not  war 
rant  such  conclusion.  We  are  prone  to  picture  in 
our  minds  a  state  of  constant  improvement,  and  like 
overwise  children  are  ever  in  advance  of  our  fathers. 
If  we  but  turn  to  the  court  records  of  pioneer  days 
in  Harrison,  Randolph  and  other  counties,  we  are 
astonished  to  find  frequent  indictment  and  punish 
ment  inflicted  for  offenses  that  at  the  present  day 
are  committed  with  impunity,  and  with  no  thought 
of  a  penalty  being  imposed  :  for  instance,  the  carry- 

1 1  am  informed  that  the  house  in  which  Julia  Beckwith  Neale  was 
born  is  still  standing,  on  what  is  known  as  the  "  Peach  Orchard  "  farm 
near  Aldie,  Loudon  County,  Virginia,  formerly  the  property  and  home  of 
her  father,  Thomas  Neale.— T.  J.  A. 


48  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

ing  of  a  grist  of  corn  to  the  mill  on  the  Sabbath  and 
similar  violations  of  that  day;  for  using  profane 
language  in  public  places,  and  for  card  playing. 
There  were  indictments  for  these  and  similar  misde 
meanors  at  almost  every  term  of  court.  Who  of 
the  present  generation  have  heard  of  the  punishment 
of  such  offenses?  Many  there  were  who  had  no 
church  affiliations  or  religious  tendencies,  just  as  one 
finds  it  to-day.  In  some  communities  more  religious 
observance  than  in  others.  In  this  connection  the 
following  quotation  is  given  from  "The  Mononga- 
hela  of  Old,"  by  Hon.  James  Veach,  wherein  he 
entertainingly  describes  the  early  settlements  prior 
to  the  year  1800,  in  a  section  contiguous  to  that  just 
referred  to  and  between  the  residents  whereof  there 
was  direct  and  constant  intercourse,  in  many  respects 
one  and  the  same  country  and  people.  After  men 
tioning  the  different  religious  denominations  repre 
sented,  Baptist,  Presbyterian,  Methodist  and  others, 
he  says,  "  Nearly  all  our  temples  were  in  the  coun 
try,  away  from  the  noise  and  revelry  of  the  villages, 
rearing  their  humble  roofs  beneath  the  shade  of  the 
oak,  on  some  flower-decked  eminence,  or  in  some 
quiet  vale,  beside  some  noiseless  spring  ...  fit 
localities  at  which  to  drink  of  the  wells  of  the  water 
of  life.  And  then  the  old  country  schools  with  their 
puncheon  floors  and  benches.  They  were  plenti 
fully  scattered  among  our  early  settlements.  There 
is  scarcely  a  neighborhood  .  .  .  where  some 
survivor  of  the  second  generation  cannot  point  you 
to  the  spot  where  his  young  ideas  were  taught  to 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      49 

shoot  and  he  to  play."  Then  again,  "  Almost  every 
country  preacher  was  a  teacher  of  Latin  and  mathe 
matics.  They  were  often  better  qualified  than  many 
modern  *  professors.' "  And  then  of  the  "  pioneers," 
"  Take  them  all  in  all,  they  were  generally  men  and 
women  of  whom  their  posterity  may  be  proud." 
"We  will  find  many  things  in  the  character  of  our 
early  settlers  to  command  our  admiration — many  to 
attract  our  imitation ;  while  in  a  few,  their  errors 
and  aberrations  stand  out  as  beacons  to  warn  us  that 
with  all  their  heroic  excellencies  they  still  were  men." 
Of  character,  "  It  was  that  of  original  settlers  every 
where  in  many  respects.  The  first  settlers  came 
here  not  merely  to  better  their  condition,  but  to 
gratify  their  taste.  .  .  .  Fearless  of  danger,  yet 
fearing  their  God.  .  .  .  The  men  of  that  day 
sought  to  be  a  law  unto  themselves,  and  were  of  too 
lofty  a  spirit  to  be  actors  in  the  low  kennels  of 
modern  chicanery.  Their  word  was  their  bond, — 
its  seal  their  honor, — its  penalty  the  fear  of  social 
degradation." 

Surprise  is  expressed  by  Colonel  Henderson  in  his 
"  Life  of  Jackson,"  as  well  as  by  other  of  his  biog 
raphers,  at  Jackson  growing  up  to  be  a  man  of  ve 
racity,  of  correct  habits  and  of  marked  piety,  consid 
ering  his  surroundings  in  youth.  Unfortunately  the 
persons  from  whom  Colonel  Henderson  and  others 
derived  their  information,  which  afforded  a  basis  for 
such  comments,  were  evidently  not  familiar  with 
conditions  as  had  existed  in  that  region;  but  without 
having  opportunity  of  turning  to  the  records,  or  of 


50  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

seeking  evidence  from  original  sources,  they  gave 
expression,  no  doubt  innocently,  to  their  own  erro 
neous  opinions  as  to  the  character  of  customs  which 
they  assumed  would  naturally  prevail  in  a  country 
regarded  by  them  as  but  little  removed  from  the 
frontier,  and  to  which  they  were  unfortunately  stran 
gers.  Many  of  General  Jackson's  relatives  were 
pious  people  with  active  church  affiliations ;  some 
were  not.  Of  his  great-grandparents,  John  Jackson 
and  wife,  the  former,  as  elsewhere  herein  shown,  was 
a  man  of  good  habits.  It  is  not  now  known  whether 
he  was  a  church  member  or  not ;  the  latter  was. 
His  Grandmother  Jackson  and  her  father's  family, 
the  Haddens,  were  as  devout  Christians  as  was  Gen 
eral  Jackson  himself.  His  mother  and  her  family, 
the  Neales,  were  people  of  marked  piety.  Many  of 
Thomas'  relatives  living  within  visiting  distance  of 
where  his  boyhood  days  were  passed,  and  with 
whom  he  no  doubt  frequently  associated,  were  pious 
people,  so  that  had  he  grown  up  to  be  other  than  a 
man  of  rectitude,  it  would  have  been  surprising.  In 
letter  after  letter  written  by  General  Jackson  in  later 
life  he  refers  to  the  blessing  that  should  come  to  his 
sister  and  himself  from  his  mother's  and  brother's 
prayers,  showing  that  from  infancy  his  mind  was  di 
rected  towards  God.  To  those  interested  in  the 
subject  of  heredity  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  quote  a 
few  passages  from  the  will  of  General  Jackson's 
great-grandfather,  David  Hadden,  filed  for  record  in 
the  County  Court  of  Randolph  County  in  the  year 
1791.  It  is  not  at  all  probable  that  General  Jackson 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      51 

ever  saw  or  heard  of  this  will,  as  it  was  not  even 
known  to  the  descendants  of  David  Hadden  of  the 
last  generation  residing  in  the  county  where  filed, 
and  was  only  discovered  in  recent  years  in  searching 
through  some  old  records.  Commencing  in  the 
usual  form  of  wills  of  that  period,  he  continues,  "  Be 
ing  very  frail  and  weak  in  body,  but  of  perfect  mind 
and  memory,  thanks  be  to  God.  Calling  unto  mind 
the  mortality  of  my  body,  and  knowing  that  it  is  ap 
pointed  for  all  men  once  to  die,  do  make  and  ordain 
this  my  last  will  and  testament ;  that  is  to  say,  prin 
cipally  and  first  of  all,  I  give  and  recommend  my 
soul  into  the  hand  of  Almighty  -God  that  gave  it ; 
and  my  body  I  recommend  to  the  earth  to  be  buried 
in  a  decent  and  Christian  burial,  at  the  discretion 
of  my  executors,  nothing  doubting  but  at  the  gen 
eral  resurrection  I  shall  receive  the  same  again  by 
the  mighty  Power  of  God.  And  as  touching  such 
worldly  estate  wherewith  it  has  pleased  God  to  bless 
me  in  this  life,  I  give,  devise,"  etc.,  etc.  .  .  . 
Dated  i3th  May,  1791.  Proved  in  court,  Decem 
ber  26,  1791.  The  deep  intense  Christian  faith  and 
trust  disclosed  in  the  foregoing  sentences  might 
well  find  a  counterpart  in  the  simple,  trusting  faith 
of  General  Jackson  himself. 


Ill 

WEST  POINT  (1842-) 

IN  the  period  in  which  young  Jackson  was  con 
stable,  a  vacancy  occurred  at  the  United  States 
Military  Academy  at  West  Point  for  a  cadet- 
ship  from  the  District  in  which  he  resided.  Through 
the  influence  of  the  same  Uncle  Cummins  who  was 
an  intimate  friend  of  the  Hon.  Samuel  S.  Hayes, 
Member  of  Congress  from  said  District,  Thomas  was 
appointed  in  1842,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the 
latter,  to  fill  the  vacancy.1  He  at  once  resigned  his 
office  as  constable,  leaving  the  closing  up  of  the 
business  connected  with  it  in  the  hands  of  his  Uncle 
Cummins.  His  educational  advantages  had  been 
}uite  limited,  and  ,he  now  had  very  little  time  in 
vhich  to  prepare  for  the  examinations  preliminary 
to  admission  to  the  academy.  He  sought  the  assist 
ance  of  a  prominent  gentleman,  a  friend  of  the  fam 
ily,  who  was  well  qualified  and  ready  to  extend  a 

1  Mr.  Sylvanus  White,  of  whom  mention  has  been  made  before,  writes 
that  Hon.  Samuel  S.  Hayes  was  a  close  friend  of  the  Jacksons.  I  have 
been  also  informed  that  Hon.  J.  M.  Bennett,  of  Weston,  (West)  Virginia, 
used  his  influence  with  Mr.  Hayes  to  secure  the  appointment  of  young 
Jackson.  In  the  early  part  of  the  Civil  War  General  Jackson  tendered 
this  gentleman,  who  at  the  time  was  Auditor  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  the 
position  of  Adjutant  General  or  Chief  of  his  Staff,  but  the  appointment 
was  declined. — T.  J.  A. 

52 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      53 

helping  hand.  Every  minute  possible  was  utilized 
in  preparation  to  the  time  of  his  departure.  He 
travelled  by  horseback  to  Clarksburg,  and  there 
learning  that  the  stage-coach  in  which  he  purposed 
going  had  just  passed,  he  left  his  horse,  and  travel 
ling  on  foot  a  much  shorter  route  than  by  the  main 
road,  overtook  the  coach  at  a  little  distance  from 
that  town  and  continued  his  journey  in  it.  He  re 
ported  to  Congressman  Hayes  in  Washington,  and 
receiving  his  appointment,  from  there  continued  his 
journey  to  West  Point,  where  he  passed  his  examina 
tion  and  was  'duly  enrolled  on  the  ist  of  July,  1842. 
Before  discussing  young  Jackson's  life  at  West  Point 
it  is  proper  to  turn  for  a  brief  period  to  the  uncle,  of 
whom  occasional  mention  has  been  made,  but  whose 
name  from  this  time  forward  will  but  seldom  appear. 
The  biographers  of  General  Jackson  have  each  re 
ferred  to  him,  Dr.  Dabney  at  greater  length  than  any 
other. 

As  the  relations  existing  between  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  and  this  uncle  were  unusual,  and  as 
Thomas  was  with  and  under  his  influence  in  what 
may  be  termed  the  formative  period  of  his  life,  and 
as  he  always  afterwards  expressed  the  greatest  fond 
ness  for  and  devotion  to  this  uncle,  I  will  not  only 
quote  from  Dr.  Dabney,  but  add  some  particulars  that 
have  since  come  within  my  personal  knowledge.  I  re 
member  having  seen  Cummins  E.  Jackson  on  one 
occasion  when  he  visited  my  father's  home,  just  prior 
to  his  departure  for  California  in  the  spring  of  1849. 
Although  I  was  a  mere  child  at  the  time,  I  recall  dis- 


54:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

tinctly  the  man  with  large,  piercing  blue-gray  eyes, 
smooth  face,  who  inclined  his  head  (hardly  from 
necessity)  whenever  he  passed  through  a  smaller 
door  leading  to  the  dining-room ;  the  servants  of  the 
household  called  my  attention  to  it,  and  explained 
that  he  had  to  do  so  on  account  of  being  so  tall.  He 
was  of  stout  frame  but  not  corpulent.  That  is  the 
extent  of  the  observation,  the  accuracy  of  which  has 
since  been  verified  by  his  contemporaries  who  knew 
him  well.  Dr.  Dabney  says,  "  This  remarkable  uncle 
claims  our  notice,  not  only  for  his  paternal  kindness 
to  the  orphan,  but  for  the  influence  which  he  exerted, 
and  for  that  which,  contrary  to  all  human  calcula 
tion,  he  failed  to  exert  upon  him.  He  was  then  ap 
proaching  middle  life,  a  bachelor  of  lofty  stature  and 
most  athletic  frame,1  and  full  of  all  the  rugged  en 
ergy  of  his  race.  The  native  powers  of  his  mind, 
although  not  cultivated  by  a  liberal  education,  were 
so  strong  that  some  of  his  acquaintances  have  de 
clared  him  to  be,  in  their  opinion,  the  ablest  man 
they  ever  knew.  His  will  was  as  strong  as  his  un 
derstanding.  ...  As  a  friend  he  was  steadfast 
and  generous  without  stint ;  and  though  forbearing 
and  slow  to  take  offense,  as  an  enemy  he  was  equally 
bitter  and  unforgiving.  Such  was  his  liberality  that 
his  poorer  neighbors  and  dependents  adored  him. 
He  never  had  political  aspirations  for  himself,  but 
his  unbounded  influence  usually  gave  the  honors  of 
his  county  to  the  person  whom  he  favored.  .  .  , 

1  He  was  about  thirty-six  years  of  age,  six  feet,  two  and  a  half  inches  in 
height,  and  of  some  two  hundred  pounds  weight. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      55 

He  was  so  passionately  fond  of  litigation  that  his 
legal  controversies  consumed  a  large  part  of  the  in 
come  of  a  liberal  estate  and  the  earnings  of  his  own 
giant  industry.     He   owned  a  valuable   farm  and 
mills,  and  was  one  of  the  largest  slaveholders  in  the 
county  of  Lewis.1   ....    .    .     In  this  home  Thomas 

received  all  the  privileges  of  a  son  of  the  family. 
The  relation  existing  between  him  and  his  uncle  was, 
from  the  first,  remarkable.     He  treated  the  little  boy 
more  as  a  companion  than  as  a  child     .     .     .     and 
always  rather  requested  than  demanded  his  compli 
ance  with  the  discipline  of  the  household.    The  child 
was  thus  stimulated  to  the  work  of  his  own  self- 
government  from  a  very  early  period,  and  left  to  an 
independence  of  action  more  suited  for  a  man.     But 
he  did  not  disappoint  his  uncle's  confidence.     .     .     . 

The   uncle,  though   temperate   and   energetic,  was 
himself  utterly  devoid  of  Christianity.     .     .     .     The 

wonder  is  that  the  circumstances  which  surrounded 
him  (Thomas)  did  not  make  him  simply  another 
Cummins  E.  Jackson.  The  generous  kindness  of 
this  uncle,  the  force  of  his  example,  the  similarity  of 
the  two  in  the  strength  and  ardor  of  their  natures, 
and  the  impress  of  a  will  so  energetic  and  command 
ing,  would  seem  naturally  to  tend  to  that  result. 
But  the  nephew  seems  to  have  imbibed  all  of  the 
good  traits  of  the  uncle  and  to  have  escaped  the 
bad."  The  sketch  from  which  the  above  quotations 
are  made  is  in  some  respects  inaccurate.  It  is  but 

1  Cummins  E.  Jackson  owned  a  number  of  slaves.     There  were  no 
large  slaveholders  in  Lewis  County. — T.  J.  A. 


56  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

fair  and  just  to  Dr.  Dabney  to  quote  from  the  pref 
ace  of  his  "  Life  of  Jackson,"  wherein  he  states  "  that 
the  whole  work  was  written  before  the  termination 
of  the  contest  (Civil  War)."  As  the  section  of 
Western  Virginia  where  Cummins  E.  Jackson  had 
resided  was  within  the  federal  lines,  and  far  distant 
from  Dr.  Dabney,  and  of  course  inaccessible  to  him 
at  that  time,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  gather 
more  than  meagre  knowledge.  Cummins  E.  Jack 
son  had  some  bitter  enemies,  and  it  is  clearly  evi 
dent  that  a  part  at  least  of  what  the  doctor  has 
written  was  gleaned  through  such  channels.  I  have 
had  exceptional  opportunities  for  obtaining  informa 
tion  from  many  sources,  much  of  k  at  first  hand. 
Cummins  ^E.  Jackson  was  in  no  sense  a  religious 
man  ;  that  he  had  his  faults,  as  do  others,  goes  with 
out  saying,  but  there  were  many  fine  traits  to  his 
credit  on  the  final  balance  sheet.  He  was  temperate 
and  of  the  strictest  veracity.  He  was  of  too  strong 
mentality,  liberality  and  fairness  to  attempt  to  divert 
the  mind  of  a  child  from  the  teaching  and  injunctions 
of  that  child's  dying  mother.  Although  irreligious, 
as  Dr.  Dabney  says,  yet  the  very  thought  of  in 
fluencing,  or  of  trying  to  influence  this  little  father 
less,  motherless  boy,  under  such  circumstances, 
would  have  been  repellent  and  abhorrent  to  his 
whole  nature.  Cummins  E.  Jackson  was  too  big 
and  noble  hearted  to  have  so  much  as  countenanced 
such  a  thought.  Unquestionably,  a  great  deal  of 
young  Jackson's  development  should  be  credited  to 
this  uncle,  who  doubtless  understood  the  child  and 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      5T 

encouraged  all  of  his  better  impulses.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  that  the  mother's  last  admonitions  to  the 
seven-year-old  boy,  often  referred  to  in  his  letters  in 
later  life,  and  her  dying  injunction,  were  indelibly 
engraved  into  his  very  being  and  abided  with  and 
influenced  him  throughout  life.  Of  this  uncle  Gen 
eral  Jackson  always  spoke  with  grateful  affection,  as 
he  was  evidently  his  favorite  nephew.  In  the  letter 
heretofore  quoted,  from  Mr.  White,  he  states  "  that 
he  (Cummins)  was  more  fond  of  Thomas  than  of  his 
own  brother."  Quoting  further  from  Dr.  Dabney, 
"  Cummins  displayed  his  restless  love  of  adventure 
by  going  when  he  was  forty-nine  (forty-seven)  years 
old  to  seek  gold  in  California.  He  was  also  impelled 
in  part  by  disgust  at  the  persecutions  of  some  of  his 
neighbors,  with  whom  his  feuds  had  become  per 
fectly  inveterate.  His  ample  farm  and  competency 
could  not  detain  him.  He  crossed  the  plains  with  a 
well  equipped  company  of  gold-hunters,  of  whom 
he  was  recognized  as  the  chief,  in  1849,"  and  died 
not  long  afterwards.  The  following  information  con 
veyed  in  a  letter  from  Major  Jackson  to  his  sister, 
written  from  Fort  Hamilton,  New  York,  of  date 
February  i,  1849,  and  which  it  is  highly  probable 
was  also  imparted  by  him  directly  to  his  Uncle  Cum 
mins,  had  much  to  do  with  the  organizing  and  de 
parture  of  this  company  for  California ;  he  writes, 
"  The  gold  fever  is  running  very  high  here.  I  have 
conversed  with  Mr.  Loesser,  an  officer  of  the  army, 
from  California,  who  says  that  a  person  can  gather 
on  an  average  about  seventy-five  dollars  per  day." 


58  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Little  do  those  of  the  younger  generation  of  the 
present  day  realize  what  the  California  gold  fever 
was.  The  above  quotation  from  what  all  would 
regard  as  a  strictly  reliable  source  will  enable  one 
to  form  a  somewhat  correct  idea  of  the  cause  that 
appealed  to  and  excited  the  imagination.  One  can 
hardly  estimate  what  seventy-five  dollars  per  day  at 
that  period,  particularly  in  the  rural  districts,  would 
be  the  equivalent  of  at  the  present  time.  No  doubt 
all  who  undertook  this  journey  expected  to  return  in 
the  course  of  two  or  three  years  with  fortunes  in 
gold.  Such  was  the  intention  and  expectation  of 
Cummins  E.  Jackson  ;  otherwise  he  would  have  dis 
posed  of  his  valuable  home  property  before  leaving. 
Nearly  all  of  these  adventurers  did  return,  but  many 
of  them  without  the  fortunes.  I  witnessed  on  one 
occasion  a  gold-hunters'  rush.  I  have  never  read 
an  account  of  such  a  scene  that  conveyed  anything 
like  an  adequate  description  of  what  it  is.  The 
people  were  not  only  excited  but  wild ;  they  rushed 
night  and  day ;  seemingly  nothing  could  control 
or  stop  them.  Of  those  who  had  not  the  means  to 
procure  teams  and  wagons,  some  trundled  wheel 
barrows,  others  hand  carts,  all  loaded  with  picks, 
shovels,  provisions,  blankets,  etc.,  etc.,  starting  out 
on  a  journey  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  miles 
from  the  last  point  where  supplies  were  obtainable. 
Little  wonder  that  in  1849  boys  of  fifteen  and  six 
teen,  and  even  widows  with  families  of  children, 
joined  in  the  onward  rush  across  the  plains  for 
California.  It  may  be  proper  to  state  that  I  resided 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      59 

for  a  number  of  years  in  the  midst  of  these  former 
fortune  hunters,  and  was  often  entertained  with  the 
narration  of  their  experiences  during  the  period  re 
ferred  to.  The  following  quotations  from  letters 
from  young  Jackson  to  his  sister  Laura,  written 
from  West  Point,  the  first  under  date  of  September 
8,  1844,  will  give  a  very  clear  conception  of  what 
his  home  with  his  Uncle  Cummins  had  been.  He 
writes :  "  Times  are  very  different  from  what  they 
were  when  I  was  at  my  adopted  home.  None  to 
give  their  mandates ;  none  for  me  to  obey  but  as  I 
chose ;  surrounded  by  my  playmates  and  relatives, 
all  apparently  eager  to  promote  my  happiness." 
Again,  in  a  letter  to  same  from  Fort  Hamilton  of 
date  July  6,  1850,  he  writes  that  he  has  received 
news  of  his  Uncle  Cummins'  death  in  California, 
and  says,  "  This  is  news  which  goes  to  my  heart. 
Uncle  was  a  father  to  me."  And  again  in  a  letter  to 
same  from  Lexington,  Va.,  of  date  June  5,  1852,  he 
had  heard  that  the  report  of  this  uncle's  death  was 
incorrect,  and  that  he  had  returned  ;  he  writes :  "  To 
meet  him  will  be  a  proud  day  of  my  life.  He  has  cer 
tainly  been  a  good  friend  to  me."  Unfortunately  the 
first  report  was  correct.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind 
that  the  last  two  quotations  given  were  written  by 
Major  Jackson  in  mature  manhood,  and  after  he  be 
came  an  avowed  follower  of  Christ,  and  will  be 
accepted  as  his  evidence  as  to  what  was  the  man, 
Cummins  E.  Jackson.  In  closing  this  sketch  of  the 
uncle,  a  few  paragraphs  will  be  quoted  from  a  letter 
received  by  me  from  Hon.  Henry  Brannon  of  Lewis 


60  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTEES 

County,  late  Presiding  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  West  Virginia.  Referring  to  Cummins  E.  Jack 
son,  he  writes  : 

"  When  I  went  to  Western,  Lewis  County,  a  boy  of 
fifteen  years,  he  had  only  a  few  years  before  left  that 
county  for  California.  Though  I  never  knew  him, 
Cummins  E.  Jackson's  name  was  a  household  word  in 
Lewis  County.  I  knew  a  hundred  of  his  close  friends 
and  relatives.  They  have  all  fallen  asleep,  and  they 
were  leading  men  and  women  of  the  county.  They 
spoke  of  him  so  much,  so  often,  that  I  almost  feel  that  I 
knew  him  personally.  He  was  a  leading,  prominent 
county  man.  His  heart  was  big  and  generous.  This 
told  him  to  give  home  and  shelter  to  his  orphaned 
nephew,  Thomas  J.  Jackson.  Cummins,  as  everybody 
called  him,  was  a  large,  handsome  man,  firm,  courageous 
and  devoted  to  his  friends.  He  had  a  valuable  landed 
estate  and  was  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 
Everybody  was  a  friend  to  Cummins  E.  Jackson.  I  can 
assert  this  from  those  who  knew  him  best." 

Westont  W.  Va.t  February  12,  ipzo. 


IV 

WEST  POINT—  Continued  (1842-1846) 

RETURNING  again  to  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  his  admission  to  the  United 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point. 
The  class  he  entered  was  a  large  and  distinguished 
one.  Generals  McClellan,  Foster,  Reno,  Stoneman, 
Couch  and  Gibbons  of  the  Federal  army,  and  Gen 
erals  A.  P.  Hill,  Pickett,  Maury,  D.  R.  Jones,  W.  D. 
Smith,  and  Wilcox  of  the  Confederate  army  were 
among  his  classmates.  He  was  here  brought  into 
competition  with  some  of  the  brightest  and  most 
cultured  young  men  of  the  nation ;  and  although 
his  training  in  mathematics  had  been  limited  to  arith 
metic  and  a  few  weeks  of  hurried  preparation  in 
algebra,  and  without  any  knowledge  whatever  of 
the  French  tongue,  he  was  assigned  to  the  fourth 
class  where  he  began  the  study  of  that  language, 
and  of  algebra  and  geometry.  At  the  end  of  his 
first  year,  in  a  class  of  seventy-two,1  he  stood  forty- 
five  in  mathematics,  seventy  in  French,  had  fifteen 
demerits,  and  was  fifty-one  in  general  merit."  As 
the  predominant  question  with  young  Jackson  from 
the  time  of  his  appointment  had  been  whether,  with 
his  defective  preparation,  he  would  be  enabled  to 
maintain  himself  at  all  in  the  course  of  study  at 

^he  class  of  1842  contained  one  hundred  and  nine.     Presumably  a 
number  were  dropped  during  the  year. 

61 


62  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

West  Point,  he  was  more  than  gratified  with  the  re 
sult  of  the  examination  in  placing  him  sufficiently 
high  to  assure  his  entry  into  the  next  advanced 
class.  And  from  that  time  forward  he  was  relieved 
of  any  apprehension  as  to  his  ability  to  sustain  him 
self,  provided  his  health  did  not  fail  him.  While 
the  studies  in  the  next  class  were  much  more  dim- 
cult,  yet  the  effect  of  the  previous  year's  severe 
mental  training  began  to  be  apparent  in  that  at  the 
end  of  the  second  year,  coupled  with  his  close  in 
dustry  and  application,  he  had  risen  to  eighteen  in 
mathematics,  fifty-two  in  French,  was  sixty-eight  in 
drawing,  and  fifty-five  in  engineering  studies,  with 
but  twenty-six  demerits,  and  in  general  merit 
thirty.  While  at  West  Point  every  little  advance 
ment  in  his  studies  and  class  standing  was  reported 
to  his  sister.  One  can  well  imagine  the  pleasure 
this  was  to  both,  and  how  eagerly  the  sister  would 
await  these,  to  her,  highly  flattering  reports  of  her 
only  brother.  The  latter  was  ever  reticent  and 
modest  in  speaking  or  writing  of  himself,  but  there 
was  no  hesitation  when  it  came  to  informing  his 
sister  of  his  progress,  as  appears  from  his  letters  to 
her,  knowing  as  he  did  the  interest  she  felt  in  him 
and  the  pleasure  such  information  would  give  her. 
The  first  letter  of  those  preserved  bears  date : 

Military  Academy ',  West  Point,  N.  K, 

January  28,  1844. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  embrace  this  opportunity 
of  informing  you  of  the  receipt  of  your  interesting  letter, 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      63 

which  announced  to  me  your  own  health,  as  well  as  that  of 
my  friends  in  general ;  though  you,  to  my  great  surprise, 
did  not  inform  me  of  your  intended  home ;  but  I  con 
cluded  from  the  general  tenor  of  it  that  you  intended  to 

reside  with  Uncle  S ,  of  which,  if  true,  I  am  very 

glad.  My  health  is  far  better  than  it  was  when  I  parted 
with  you,  and  indeed  more  flattering  than  it  has  been  for 
the  last  two  years ;  and  I  think  by  the  time  I  graduate, 
if  that  should  ever  be,  my  health  will  be  as  good  as  ever. 
I  hope  in  the  meantime  that  no  pains  will  be  spared  on 
your  part  for  the  recovery  of  your  health.  You  should 
have  received  a  letter  from  me  at  an  earlier  date  had  it 
not  been  for  the  examination,  which  was  on  the  eve  of 
commencing  when  I  received  yours.  The  examination 
closed  a  few  days  since,  and  rather  to  my  advantage,  as  I 
rose  considerably  in  mathematics,  and  a  few  files  in  the 
French  language,  though  in  the  same  time  I  fell  a  few 
files  in  ethics  and  in  drawing.  I  passed  in  all  my 
studies,  and  I  bid  fair  to  continue  to  do  the  same  for  the 
future.  There  was  only  one  Virginian  found  deficient  in 
my  class.  ...  I  am  almost  homesick,  and  expect  to 
continue  so  until  I  can  have  a  view  of  my  native  moun 
tains,  and  receive  the  greetings  of  my  friends  and  rela 
tives,  when  I  shall  have  the  opportunity  of  mingling  with 
my  schoolmates,  and  the  companions  of  my  earliest 
youth.  It  is  the  anticipation  of  one  day  realizing  them 
that  fills  my  heart  with  joy,  and  causes  me  to  urge  for 
ward  and  grasp  that  prize  which  will  qualify  me  for 
spending  my  life  with  them  in  peace  and  honor.  If  no 
change  takes  place  in  the  army,  and  I  continue  to  progress 
in  my  class  as  well  as  I  have  so  far,  my  pay  when  I  leave 
this  institution  will  be  about  one  thousand  dollars  a  year ; 
though  fate  may  decree  that  I  shall  graduate  in  the  lower 


64  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

part  of  my  class,  in  which  case  I  shall  have  to  go  into 
the  infantry  and  would  receive  only  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  a  year.  But  I  feel  very  confident  that  unless 
fortune  frowns  on  me  more  than  it  has  yet,  I  shall  grad 
uate  in  the  upper  half  of  my  class,  and  high  enough  in 
it  to  enter  the  Dragoons.  But  be  that  as  it  may,  I  in 
tend  to  remain  in  the  army  no  longer  than  I  can  get  rid 
of  it  with  honor,  and  means  to  commence  some  profes 
sional  business  at  home.  My  friends  here  are  numerous 
apparently ;  and  all  that  I  want  to  render  myself  happy 
on  earth  is  the  sight  of  you  and  my  native  land.  Tell 
Uncle  Cummins  if  you  should  see  him  shortly  that  I 
want  him  to  write  to  me,  giving  me  permission  to  come 
home ;  for  without  his  consent  the  superintendent  will 
not  give  me  a  furlough  ;  though  if  you  should  not  have 
an  opportunity  of  doing  so,  you  need  not  mention  it  to 
him,  for  I  will  write  to  him  if  I  do  not  hear  from  him 
soon.  Give  my  respects  to  Seely,1  if  you  should  see  her, 
and  tell  her  that  there  is  not  a  day  that  passes  by  without 
my  thinking  of  her,  and  that  I  expect  to  see  her  in  less 
than  five  months.  Don't  forget  to  write ;  and  write 
often.  I  remain  your  true  and  well  wishing  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

P.  S.  I  received  with  much  pleasure  your  letter  of 
January  since  I  wrote  the  within,  and  was  highly  gratified 
to  hear  that  your  health  is  still  improving.  You  informed 
me  that  if  I  would  bring  some  stuff  home  that  you  would 
make  it  up  for  me.  That  one  disposition  which  you 
evinced  in  so  doing  is  worth  more  to  me  than  any  other 
evidence  that  you  could  give  to  me  of  a  benevolent  heart 
and  worthy  sister.  But  I  do  not  wish  you  to  give  me 

1  One  of  his  uncle's  slaves,  who  had  charge  of  the  household  affairs, 
cooking,  etc. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      65 

any  aid  at  present,  but  will  feel  well  satisfied  if  you  can 
aid  your  aunt  enough  to  satisfy  her  for  her  trouble  on 
your  account.  I  will  have  to  take  clothes  already  made 
up  for  a  part  of  my  pay,  or  else  not  get  all  my  pay  until 
I  return  from  furlough.  Things  have  taken  considerable 
change  here  since  I  wrote  to  you  last.  I  thought  then  I 

could  spare  about  dollars,  which  I  intended  to 

expend  for  you,  but  I  find  that  I  will  not  have  more  than 

dollars  or  so.     Which,  as  it  is  so  small  an  amount, 

I  shall  bring  it  to  you  in  money,  as  I  think  that  you  can 
purchase  with  it  to  a  better  advantage  than  I  can.  But 
if  you  wish  me  to  bring  anything,  let  me  know  it,  and 
also  the  price  of  it  in  Beverley,  in  your  next  letter ;  and 
if  I  can  get  it  any  cheaper  here,  I  will  do  it  with  pleasure. 
I  ever  remain  yours  with  high  esteem.  If  I  had  one  wish 
it  would  be  to  see  you  as  soon  as  you  will  see  this. 

T.  J.  J. 
Miss  Laura  A.  Jackson, 

Beverley,  Virginia. 

As  indicated  in  the  preceding  letter  young  Jackson, 
who  was  thoroughly  homesick,  as  is  clearly  apparent, 
and  which  fact  is  convincing  evidence  of  what  his 
home  life  with  his  Uncle  Cummins  had  been,  ob 
tained  his  furlough  and  spent  the  summer  vacation 
of  1844  in  Western  Virginia,  a  portion  of  the  time 
visiting  his  sister  in  Randolph  County,  and  the 
remainder  and  principal  part  at  his  old  home  in 
Lewis  County  with  his  Uncle  Cummins.  His  cousin, 
Mr.  Sylvanus  White,  elsewhere  herein  quoted  from, 
and  who  resided  with  his  parents  in  the  vicinity,  in 
referring  to  this  visit  writes,  "When  he  (young 
Jackson)  was  at  home  on  furlough  at  the  expiration 


66  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

of  his  first  two  years  at  West  Point,  he  told  me  how 
hard  his  studies  were.  He  said  he  was  only  allowed 
three  weeks  to  learn  the  English  grammar ;  and  if 
he  had  failed  in  that  he  would  have  been  sent  home. 
'  Oh,  I  tell  you  I  had  to  work  hard/  I  said,  '  Would 
they  send  for  you  if  you  did  not  go  back  ? '  '  Oh,  I 
think  not,'  he  said  ;  '  but  not  for  Lewis  County  would 
I  fail  to  go  back.  I  am  going  to  make  a  man  of 
myself  if  I  live.  What  I  will  to  do  I  can  do/  One 
Sunday  we  went  to  the  Brad  Run  Baptist  Church  to 
services.  He — Tom,  as  he  preferred  to  be  called — 

was  riding  with  Miss  Caroline  N ;  they  were 

crossing  the  West  Fork  River  at  the  Wither' s  ford. 
The  water  was  two  and  a  half  or  three  feet  deep. 
His  horse  slipped  on  the  stones  and  fell  so  as  to 
throw  him  in  the  water.  He  had  on  a  very  fine 
suit,  his  cadet  uniform.  He  made  no  complaint, 
hardly  any  remark,  but  remounted  and  went  on  to 
church.  He  was  the  most  precise  and  polite  man  I 
ever  saw  to  everybody." 

The  following  letter  was  written  to  his  sister  just 
after  his  return  to  West  Point  at  the  expiration  of 
his  furlough,  the  only  leave  of  absence  granted  him 
during  his  four  years'  course  at  the  academy,  and 
dated  : 

West  Point  Military  Academy, 

September  8,  1844. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

You  will  please  to  pardon  me  for  not  writing  to 
you  at  an  earlier  period.  It  was  my  desire  to  have  sent 
you  a  few  lines  before  returning  to  this  place.  .  .  . 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      67 

During  my  furlough  I  was  made  an  officer,  consequently 
my  duties  are  lighter  than  usual.  .  .  .  (He  then 
proceeds  to  give  his  sister  the  following  encouragement.) 
Be  not  discouraged  by  disappointments  and  difficulties, 
but  on  the  contrary  let  each  stimulate  you  to  greater  ex 
ertions  for  attaining  noble  ends,  and  an  approving  con 
science  at  least  will  be  your  reward.  My  health  is  as 
good  as  usual.  Please  write  to  me  soon. 

Your  friend  and  brother, 

THOS.  JACKSON.1 

To  L.  A.  Jackson. 

Both  Dr.  Dabney  and  Colonel  Henderson  in  their 
sketches  of  young  Jackson's  career  at  West  Point 
make  mention  that  his  attainments  were  not  such  as 
to  secure  him  an  appointment  to  any  of  the  offices 
that  were  usually  filled  by  cadets.  From  the  above 
letter  it  is  clearly  evident  that  they  were  each  mis 
taken  in  such  statement.  Furthermore  the  selection 
of  young  Jackson  as  a  cadet  officer  was  made  in  his 
absence,  and,  it  would  appear,  without  his  knowledge 
at  the  time  ;  and  as  merit  and  qualifications  are  the 
first  considerations  in  the  selection  of  cadets  to  fill 
such  positions,  and  in  case  such  requirements  are 
possessed  in  something  like  equal  degree  by  two  or 
more,  then,  as  between  these,  popularity  would  natu 
rally  be  the  deciding  factor,  it  is  only  a  fair  inference 
that  Cadet  Jackson  was  the  possessor  of  each  of  these 
several  attributes.  It  will  be  remembered  that  in  a 
former  letter  he  makes  mention  of  having  many 
friends  among  the  cadets.  In  the  second  class,  or 

1  Note  the  signature.     See  page  25,  and  note. 


68  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

third  year,  young  Jackson  entered  upon  an  entirely 
different  course  of  studies  and  having  finished  mathe 
matics,  French  and  English,  was  soon  absorbed  in 
the  abstruse  subjects  of  chemistry,  optics,  mechanics, 
magnetism  and  astronomy.  The  next  letter  addressed 
to  his  sister  bears  date  : 

U.  S.  M.  A.,  February  10,  184.5. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

With  pleasure  I  received  in  your  letter  the  wel 
come  information  that  you  are  married l  and  happy  in  the 
society  of  a  husband  who  is  entitled  to  your  purest  love 
and  most  fervent  attachment.  My  sincere  desire  is  that 
you  may  both  enjoy  all  the  blessings  which  a  bountiful 
Providence  can  bestow.  I  think  that  if  happiness  exists 
in  this  world,  matrimony  is  one  of  its  principal  factors.  I 
conclude  that  you  ought  to  possess  it,  inasmuch  as  you 
are  married,  surrounded  by  your  friends  and  relatives, 
living  near  the  place  of  your  birth,  superior  to  the  wants 
of  life  and  above  all  possessing  religion.  My  reason  for 
not  writing  to  you  sooner  was  due  to  a  want  of  knowl 
edge  where  to  direct  a  letter,  inasmuch  as  you  stated 
in  your  first  letter  that  you  were  then  boarding  at  the 
hotel  and  did  not  mention  when  you  were  going  to 
leave  nor  where  you  were  going  to  settle.  I  hope  that 
you  shall  find  no  such  excuse  for  not  writing  to  me.  You 
certainly  would  write  much  oftener  if  you  only  knew  the 
satisfaction  which  it  affords  me  to  read  a  letter  from  a 
sister's  hand.  You  will  please  direct  your  subsequent 
letters  to  Thos.  J.  Jackson,  for  there  is  some  difficulty  in 
obtaining  them  from  the  post-office  on  account  of  another 

1  His  sister  had  married  the  latter  part  of  September  preceding. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      69 

cadet's  name  being  Thos.  K.  Jackson.1  I  am  at  present 
living  in  a  room  by  myself,  my  roommate  having  re 
signed  in  consequence  of  his  father's  ill  health.  The 
weather  has  been  extremely  cold  and  stormy  here  for  the 
last  few  days,  though  at  present  it  is  moderating.  My 
studies  for  the  approaching  June  examination  will  include 
optics,  mechanics,  astronomy,  magnetism  and  chemis 
try,  together  with  drawing.  I  expect  to  commence  tak 
ing  exercises  in  riding  in  a  day  or  two.  At  the  last 
examination  I  rose  in  each  department  of  my  studies.  A 
few  days  since  I  was  called  upon  to  pay  the  last  token  of 
respect  to  a  friend  and  fellow  classmate  in  whom  were 
combined  both  shining  talents  and  the  characteristics  of 
a  gentleman :  his  death  was  much  lamented  by  his  class 
mates,  who  a  few  days  subsequent  to  his  death  assem 
bled  and  appointed  a  committee  to  attend  to  the  erection 
of  a  monument  to  his  memory.  My  health  is  at  present 
as  good  as  usual,  and  I  remain  your  well  wishing  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Then   in   the   next   is   again  mentioned  his  class 
standing,  dated : 

U.  S.  M.  A.,  May  77,  184.5. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

It  is  through  a  sense  of  duty  and  affection,  and 
not  because  of  any  information  that  I  have,  which  induces 
me  to  send  you  these  few  lines.  The  annual  examination 
will  commence  in  about  two  weeks.  It  will  be  honored 
by  the  presence  of  a  number  of  distinguished  officers, 
among  whom  is  Major-General  Scott.  If  fortune  should 
favor  me  in  a  degree  corresponding  to  the  past,  I  will 

JMay  have  been  the  reason  for  his  inserting  the  name  "Jonathan," 
mentioned  at  page  25,  and  note. 


TO  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

have  a  better  standing  in  my  class  than  I  have  formerly 
had.  Thus  far  I  have  no  demerit  for  the  academic  year. 
My  health  is  very  good  at  present,  and  it  was  with  regret 
that  your  last  letter  brought  to  me  the  news  of  the  deli 
cate  state  of  yours  ;  but  I  trust  that  you  will  again  acquire 
a  fine  constitution,  and  that  we  will  both  be  permitted 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  and  enjoying  each  other's  com 
pany  after  so  long  a  separation  and  so  many  buffetings  of 
fortune.  You  stated  or  intimated  in  your  last  letter  that 
the  postage  was  not  paid.  The  fault  was  the  postmaster's. 
I  have  never  mailed  a  letter  either  to  you  or  any  other 
female  correspondent  without  paying  the  postage,  and 
telling  the  postmaster  to  mark  it,  unless  I  had  marked 
it  myself;  which  latter  I  but  seldom  do.  I  am  glad  that 
you  informed  me  of  it,  and  hope  that  you  will  continue 
to  do  so  should  it  again  occur.  But  for  the  future  I  shall 
mark  them  myself,  to  be  certain  that  all  is  right.  I  wish 
you  to  write  often  ;  and  in  your  next  let  me  know  who  is 
elected  from  Lewis  (County)  to  the  Legislature,  and  also 
the  Senator  from  the  District,  and  the  name  and  terms 
of  the  Democratic  paper  published  in  Clarksburg,  pro 
vided  you  know.  Though  don't  put  yourself  to  any 
trouble  to  find  out.  Write  to  me  soon  and  believe  me 
your  well-wisher,  friend  and  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 
Mrs.  L.  A.  Arnold. 

P.  S.  Last  evening  there  was  published  at  parade  an 
extenuation  of  absence  to  F.  Britton.  I  suppose  it  had 
reference  to  Forbes  Britton.1 — T.  J.  J. 

The  result  of  the  examinations  at  the  close  of  the 
year  placed  young  Jackson,  who  was  then  in  the 

1A  former  graduate  of  West  Point  from  Jackson's  native  county. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      71 

second  class  or  third  year,  as  he  had  anticipated, 
considerably  in  advance  of  his  former  class  standing, 
viz. :  Eleven  in  natural  philosophy,  twenty-five  in 
chemistry,  fifty-nine  in  drawing,  not  a  demerit  for 
the  year,  and  in  general  merit  twenty.  At  this 
period  he  had  but  little  idea  of  following  the  pro 
fession  of  arms,  as  may  be  inferred  from  a  former 
statement,  and  as  is  also  evident  from  the  expressions 
contained  in  the  next  letter. 

West  Point,  August  2, 184.5. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  am  enjoying  myself  very  well,  considering  that  I 
am  deprived  of  the  blessings  of  a  home,  the  society  of  the 
friends  of  my  childhood,  the  cordial  welcome  of  relatives, 
and  above  all  the  presence  of  an  only  sister.  Times  are 
far  different  from  what  they  were  when  I  was  at  my 
adopted  home ;  none  to  give  their  mandates ;  none  for 
me  to  obey  but  as  I  chose ;  surrounded  by  my  playmates 
and  relatives,  all  apparently  eager  to  promote  my  happi 
ness  ;  but  those  were  the  days  of  my  youth ;  they  have 
been  succeeded  by  days  of  quite  a  different  aspect ;  man 
hood  with  all  its  cares.  I  have  before  me  two  courses, 
either  of  which  I  may  choose.  The  first  would  be  to 
follow  the  profession  of  arms  ;  the  second,  that  of  a  civil 
pursuit,  as  law.  If  I  should  adopt  the  first  I  could  live 
independently  and  surrounded  by  friends  whom  I  have 
already  made,  have  no  fear  of  want.  My  pay  would  be 
fixed ;  the  principal  thing  I  would  have  to  attend  to 
would  be  futurity.  If  I  adopt  the  latter  I  presume  that  I 
would  still  find  plenty  of  friends,  but  my  exertions  would 
have  to  be  great  in  order  to  acquire  a  name.  This  course 
is  most  congenial  to  my  taste,  and  consequently  I  expect 


T2  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

to  adopt  it,  after  spending  a  few  years  in  pursuing  the 
former.  My  standing  at  present  is  in  drawing  fifty-nine, 
in  chemistry  twenty-five,  in  general  standing  twenty,  in 
philosophy  eleven,  in  conduct  one.  There  are  sixty 
members  in  my  class  at  present,  nineteen  above  me  and 
forty  below  me.  I  purpose  coming  to  see  you  in  July 
next.  A  member  of  the  corps  was  drowned  a  few  days 
since ;  his  body  was  recovered  about  five  days  subsequent 
and  interred  with  the  honors  of  war.  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  his  acquaintance.  He  was  a  youth  of  promise,  stood 
high  in  his  class.  The  news  must  have  inflicted  a  sore 
wound  on  the  hearts  of  his  parents,  for  he  certainly  was 
a  favorite  child.  The  corps  is  at  present  in  mourning  for 
him.  There  have  been  a  number  of  distinguished  men  at 
the  Point  for  some  time  back,  among  whom  was  Major- 
General  Scott.  Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 
And  then : 

West  Point,  U.  S.  M.  A.,  Nov.  25,  184.5. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

It  has  been  but  a  few  moments  since  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  your  affectionate  and  sister-like 
letter.  As  to  your  health,  it  is  my  sincere  wish  that  you 
may  again  recover  it.  My  constitution  as  well  as  your 
own  has  received  a  severe  shock;  but  I  believe  I  am 
gradually  recovering.  My  exercises  this  year  with  the 
broadsword  as  well  as  the  small  are  well  calculated  to 
strengthen  the  chest  and  the  muscles.  So  that  I  have 
some  reason  to  believe  that  they  will  have  the  desired 
effect  of  restoring  me  to  perfect  health.  And  I  hope 
that  the  same  kind  Providence,  which  has  preserved  us 
as  the  remnant  of  a  family  up  to  the  present  time,  will 
again  favor  us  with  an  interview,  although  in  Its  wisdom 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      73 

It  has  marked  out  for  us,  at  least  for  a  period,  widely 
different  spheres  of  action,  and  different  places  of  abode. 
But  I  look  forward  with  no  small  degree  of  satisfaction 
to  the  time  when  my  circumstances  will  allow  me  to  settle 
down  near  you,  and  among  my  relatives,  in  order  to 
share  with  yourselves  the  ineffable  pleasure  of  domestic 
circles.  For  your  kind  advice  and  well  wishes  you  have 
my  hearty  thanks.  Since  my  last  letter  I  have  been 
transferred  to  the  first  section  in  ethics,  and  I  think  I 
have  probably  a  mark  in  it  which  will  place  me  among 
the  first  five  in  my  class  in  this  science,  and  which  I  con 
sider  as  preferable  to  any  other  in  the  course.  There  is  a 
young  gentleman  here  by  the  name  of  Withers  who  is 
from  the  South.1  He  has  told  me  that  his  father  was 
formerly  of  Virginia,  and  that  he  has  relatives  still  living 
there  ;  and  that  one  of  them,  who  is  a  doctor,  visited  his 
father  two  or  three  years  since.  This  youth  is  an  associate 
of  mine,  and  I  would  be  glad  to  know  whether  or  no  he 
is  a  relative,  which  I  could  do,  probably,  if  I  knew  the 
given  name  of  Dr.  Withers  of  Fauquier,  who  I  know 
visited  the  South  some  time  previous  to  my  coming 
here.  If  you  recollect  the  time  of  his  passing  through 
Weston,  as  well  as  his  name,  I  would  be  glad  if  you  would 
let  me  know  in  your  next  letter ;  but  I  do  not  wish  to  put 
you  to  the  least  trouble  to  find  out,  as  I  can  obtain  the 
information  otherwise.  It  is  probable  you  think  hard 
of  me  because  of  my  not  writing  more  frequently,  but  I 
hope  the  strict  requirement  of  many  duties,  as  well  as  want 
of  information,  will  prove  a  partial  if  not  a  complete 
excuse.  Give  my  respects  to  Mr.  A ,  and  rest  as 
sured  of  my  unalterable  attachment. 

THOS.  J.  JACKSON. 

»  Mr.  John  Withers  of  Mississippi. 


74:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

And  again : 

West  Point,  U.  S.  M.  A.,  April  23,  184.6. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

.  .  .  I  am  enjoying  my  usual  state  of  health, 
and  live  in  anticipation  of  shortly  paying  you  a  visit. 
Times  are  here  nearly  as  usual.  Of  course  there  is  a 
little  excitement  owing  to  the  proximity  of  furlough 
and  graduation.  I  have  been  expecting  a  letter  from 
you  in  answer  to  my  last,  but  not  knowing  what  might 
have  occurred  I  have  deemed  it  best  to  attempt  another, 
hoping  that  it  will  meet  with  better  success  than  the 
former.  .  .  .  Had  I  only  the  memory  of  our  late 
brother  (Warren  Jackson),  who  I  hope  is  at  this  moment 
enjoying  all  the  bliss  of  a  celestial  world,  I  could  enter 
tain  you  more  interestingly,  but  as  I  am  deprived  of  this 
important  faculty  to  a  great  extent,  my  letter  must  be 
bereft  of  interest.  .  .  .  Rumor  appears  to  indicate 
a  rupture  between  our  government  and  the  Mexican. 
If  such  should  be  the  case  the  probability  is  that  I  will  be 
ordered  to  join  the  army  of  occupation  immediately,  and, 
if  so,  will  hardly  see  home  until  after  my  return,  and  the 
next  letter  that  you  will  receive  from  me  may  be  dated 
from  Texas  or  Mexico.  ...  I  shall  ever  continue  to 
love  you  with  a  brother's  love. 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

As  the  postmark  of  the  above  letter  bears  date  May 
5,  1846,  it  was  evidently  commenced  and  not  com 
pleted  until  some  two  weeks  later.  "  In  July,  1846, 
his  class  graduated.  In  the  studies  of  the  final  year 
he  was  twelve  in  engineering,  five  in  ethics,  eleven 
in  artillery,  twenty-one  in  infantry  tactics,  eleven  in 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      T5 

mineralogy  and  geology,  seven  demerits  for  the 
year,  and  his  graduating  standing,  including  the 
drawbacks  of  his  previous  years,  was  seventeen." 
A  classmate,  General  Dabney  H.  Maury,  writes, 
"  There  were  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  members 
in  his  class  altogether,  counting  those  who  had  been 
turned  back  into  it.  Sixty  graduated."  The  steady 
upward  progress  which  characterized  young  Jack 
son's  academic  life  from  fifty-one  in  his  first  year  to 
thirty  in  his  second,  then  twenty,  and  finally  seven 
teen  in  general  standing,  indicates  an  abundance 
of  energy,  industry,  application  and  ambition.  A 
former  graduate,  the  late  General  F.  H.  Smith, 
writes,  "  The  lesson  which  his  academic  career  pre 
sents  is  that  what  he  lacked  in  early  previous  prep 
aration  he  made  up  by  extra  diligence  and  unceas 
ing  effort,  while  resolute  determination  to  do  his  duty 
caused  him  to  have  but  forty-eight  demerits,  notwith 
standing  the  strict  discipline  of  West  Point,  in  a 
course  of  four  years.  It  was  scarcely  possible  for  a 
young  man  to  have  entered  upon  a  course  of  studies 
for  which  he  was  less  prepared  from  want  of  early 
preparation  than  he  was,  but  the  resolute  purpose  to 
accomplish  what  he  had  undertaken,  and  thus  to  vin 
dicate  the  confidence  of  his  friends,  animated  him 
through  all  his  difficulties,  and  crowned  him  with  the 
honors  of  a  graduate  and  with  the  commission  as  a 
brevet  second  lieutenant  of  artillery  on  the  ist  of 
July,  1846."  While  at  West  Point  it  has  been  said 
that  the  opinion  of  young  Jackson's  teachers  and 
comrades  was  that  his  mind  was  sound  and  strong, 


76  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

but  not  quick.  This  presumably  was  true  at  that 
time  in  so  far  as  it  might  be  applied  to  his  studies, 
and  probably  may  have  been  principally  due  to  pre 
vious  lack  of  mental  training.  His  subsequent 
career  would  apparently  indicate  the  reverse,  for  the 
evidence  is  conclusive  that  in  action,  not  only  in 
Mexico,  but  throughout  his  career  in  the  Civil  War, 
his  mind  was  unusually  quick,  clear  and  active. 
Notwithstanding  the  estimate  of  his  teachers  and 
comrades  as  above  quoted,  it  was  unquestionably  a 
common  remark  among  them  that  if  the  course  at 
West  Point  was  one  year  longer,  that  young  Jackson 
would  without  doubt  graduate  at  the  head  of  his 
class.1  His  companions  said  of  him  while  there  that 
he  was  not  in  any  sense  morose,  but  reserved  to  the 
point  of  shyness,  "fond  of  animated  conversation 
and  of  the  collision  of  intellect  when  alone  with  one 
or  two  of  his  few  intimates,  but  in  a  larger  circle  was 
a  silent  interested  listener."  It  is  also  related  of 
him  while  there  "  that  one  of  the  most  pleasing  and 
noteworthy  traits  of  his  nature  was  his  tenderness  to 
the  distressed.  A  case  of  sickness  or  bereavement, 
among  the  younger  cadets  especially,  awakened  all 
his  sympathies."  Evidence  of  this  tenderness  and 
sympathy  may  be  gathered  from  expressions  in  some 
of  the  preceding  letters  written  from  the  military 
academy.  His  was  a  nature  of  the  deepest  sym 
pathy.  He  was  noted  for  his  humility.  It  is  claimed 
that  the  former  begets  the  latter.  If  so,  young  Jack 
son  was  a  striking  exemplification  of  its  truth. 

1  Colonel  Henderson,  Dr.  Dabney,  and  others. 


MEXICO  (1846) 

THAT  the  knowledge  of  the  prominent  posi 
tions  filled  in  time  past  by  so  many  mem 
bers  of  young  Jackson's  ancestry  and  family 
stirred  his  boyish  imagination,  and  fostered  an  am 
bition  to  distinguish  himself,  and  influenced  his  con 
duct,  inciting  him  to  still  greater  achievement  can 
readily  be  inferred.  The  possession  of  this  ambition 
and  desire  based  on  such  incentive  was  highly  cred 
itable  to  the  orphan  boy,  mapping  out  his  career  in 
the  world  with  the  fixed  determination  to  achieve 
distinction,  to  maintain  the  family  name,  and  to  add 
lustre  thereto. 

In  confirmation  of  this  view  as  to  what  were  his 
thoughts  and  aspirations,  the  following  quotation  is 
given  from  a  letter  written  by  Major  Jackson  at  Fort 
Meade,  Florida,  several  years  later,  wherein,  refer 
ring  to  a  relative,  at  the  time  a  member  of  the  Vir 
ginia  Constitutional  Convention,  then  in  session  at 
Richmond,  he  says,  "  I  am  much  pleased  at  seeing 
Cousin  William  also  in  the  convention."  "  Indeed 
I  have  some  hopes  that  our  ancient  reputation  may  be 
revived"  To  one  fired  with  a  fervent  determina 
tion  to  win  success  and  fame,  who  was  so  well 

1  Italics  not  irj  original. 

77 


78  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

equipped  with  untiring  energy,  industry,  and  the 
faculty  of  close  concentration  of  mind,  fortune  could 
hardly  have  smiled  more  benignantly  than  it  did 
upon  young  Jackson. 

Just  as  he  was  finishing  his  four  years'  course  of 
military  training  at  the  United  States  Academy  at 
West  Point,  in  a  letter  to  his  sister  dated  April  23, 
1846,  he  writes  of  the  expected  war  with  Mexico. 
He  graduated  within  a  few  weeks  following  the  be 
ginning  of  actual  hostilities,  his  class  standing  being 
sufficiently  high  to  assure  his  assignment  to  the  ar 
tillery  corps  of  the  army,  his  chosen  branch  of  the 
service.  He  had  barely  time  after  graduation  to 
make  a  hurried  visit  to  his  sister  at  Beverley,  and  to 
his  uncle,  Cummins  E.  Jackson,  at  his  former  home. 
Mention  of  the  latter  visit  is  made  in  the  letter  from 
Mr.  Sylvanus  White,  heretofore  quoted,  and  in 
which  he  further  writes :  "  When  he  (young  Jackson) 
came  from  West  Point  in  the  summer  of  1846,  while 
he  was  here  our  county  militia  was  called  out,  with 
a  view  of  getting  up  a  company  of  volunteers  for 
the  Mexican  War.  Our  Colonel  ( McKinly)  asked 
him  to  take  command  of  a  company  in  the  day's 
muster.  He  (Thomas)  said,  '  No,  I  would  probably 
not  understand  your  orders.'  But  the  colonel  in 
sisted.  When  we  got  on  the  parade  ground,  the 
colonel  did  not  give  the  proper  command,  and 
Tom's  company  was  headed  up-town,  so  he  went  on, 
afterwards  explaining  that  he  was  obeying  orders. 
I  volunteered  in  the  company  for  the  Mexican  War. 
He  said  to  me,  '  I  expect  orders  any  minute  to  go. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      79 

I  want  to  see  you  at  the  taking  of  the  city  of  Mexico. 
We  are  going  to  take  it.'  We,  that  is  our  company, 
were  not  called  for.  In  the  spring  of  1849  our  uncle, 
Cummins  E.  Jackson,  my  brother,  myself  and  others 
started  for  California.'1 

As  young  Jackson  had  anticipated,  he  shortly  re 
ceived  marching  orders,  requiring  him  to  immedi 
ately  report  for  duty  with  Company  K  of  the  First 
Regiment  of  Artillery,  and  which  he  did,  proceeding 
thence  through  Pennsylvania,  down  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  Rivers  to  New  Orleans ;  and  from  there 
the  troops  embarked  for  Point  Isabel,  Texas.  In 
descending  the  Mississippi  River  an  island  was 
passed,  strikingly  familiar  to  young  Jackson's  gaze 
as  the  scene  of  his  first  youthful  venture  to  carve  his 
way  to  fame  in  the  world.  The  sight  doubtless  re 
called  to  his  memory  many  incidents  of  the  past,  all 
associated  with  the  loved  brother,  Warren,  since  de 
ceased,  that  had  occurred  in  the  winter  and  spring 
they  had  spent  there  together.  And  all  so  at  vari 
ance  with  his  present  surroundings  and  circum 
stances.  The  next  intelligence  received  of  young 
Jackson  is  from  Point  Isabel,  Texas.  In  a  letter  to 
his  sister  from  that  place,  dated  September  25,  1846, 
and  postmarked  New  Orleans,  he  writes  as  follows : 

DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  arrived  in  this  port  last  evening  and  purposed 
writing  to  you  before  closing  my  eyes  in  sleep,  but  I  was 
prevented  from  my  purpose  by  the  impossibility  of  pro 
curing  a  pen.  I  have  availed  myself  of  this  opportunity 


80  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

of  writing,  in  particular  as  it  may  be  the  last  favorable 
one  for  days  to  come,  as  in  this  country  letters  are  gen 
erally  transmitted  through  the  kindness  of  a  third  person, 
or  the  quartermaster.  How  I  shall  be  able  to  get  this 
to  New  Orleans  I  cannot  say,  but  it  must  be  through  one 
of  these  channels.  There  are  at  present  about  one  hun 
dred  vessels  in  port,  some  of  which  I  presume  will  soon 
sail  for  New  Orleans.  It  is  useless  for  me  to  attempt  to 
give  a  detailed  narrative  of  occurrences  since  I  last  parted 
with  you,  but  suffice  it  to  say  that  I  arrived  home  (at 
Cummins  E.  Jackson's)  on  the  following  Monday,  and  on 
the  succeeding  Wednesday  received  orders  to  report 
without  delay  to  Captain  Francis  Taylor  ;  and  on  the  fol 
lowing  day,  in  compliance  with  my  orders,  bid  farewell 
to  my  uncle's  family,  and  proceeded  to  Fort  Columbus.1 
But  on  arriving  there  ascertained  that  he,  Captain  Taylor, 
had  left.  On  receiving  this  information  I  proceeded  to 
Fort  Hamilton,  where  I  found  him.  From  that  post,  in 
connection  with  Captain  Taylor,  thirty  men  and  forty 
horses,  I  took  up  my  line  of  march  for  this  place.  After 
travelling  upwards  of  four  hundred  miles  by  land  we 
reached  Pittsburgh,  from  thence  by  water,  and  have  finally 
arrived  here  after  a  march  of  about  thirty-six  days. 
I  have  not  yet  landed,  but  an  officer  of  the 
quartermaster's  department  has  been  aboard,  and  stated 
that  General  Taylor  had  observed  that  he  would  be  ready 
for  another  battle  by  yesterday.  This  news  came  by 
letter  from  Colonel  Whiting.2  Whether  the  battle  came 
off  or  not  I  cannot  say.  I  belong  to  K  Company,  First 

1  Located  on  Governor's  Island,  N.  Y. 

2  Years  afterwards  on  the  eve  of  Jackson's  departure  from  the  Valley 
for  Richmond,  General  Whiting,  it  is  said,  expressed  great  indignation 
at  the  former's  not  disclosing  to  him  any  of  his  plans. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      81 

Artillery,  which,  to  use  the  common  phrase,  is  a  flying 
company  of  artillery.  I  could  say  much  more,  but  I  am 
writing  in  a  strong  gale  of  wind,  and  where  all  is  con 
fusion.  I  am  in  hopes  of  starting  up  the  Rio  Grande  to 
morrow,  and  on  reaching  General  Taylor  as  soon  as 
possible.  Direct  your  letter  to  Company  K,  First  Ar 
tillery,  Army  of  Occupation,  Mexico.  It  may  reach  me, 
but  not  with  certainty.  My  health  is  better  than  it  has 
been  for  some  time.  Give  my  respects  to  the  good  peo 
ple  of  Beverley.  They  occupy  a  high  place  in  my  esteem, 
especially  your  amiable  husband,  whose  kindness  as  well 
as  yours  has  been  indelibly  written  on  my  heart  and 
memory. 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

In  the  period  in  which  the  following  letters  from 
Mexico  were  written,  young  Jackson  was  some 
twenty-two  years  of  age.  His  description  of  the 
country,  its  climate,  its  products,  and  its  people  is 
interesting,  and  as  is  constantly  evidenced  emanates 
from  the  pen  of  a  close  observer  and  accurate  writer. 
Of  more  than  ordinary  interest  in  view  of  his  future 
achievements  are  his  descriptions  of  military  oper 
ations  in  which  he  participated.  His  comments  and 
criticisms  on  what  transpired,  and  reference  to  the 
dissensions  occurring  and  pending  between  some  of 
the  prominent  military  leaders,  was  of  course  per 
sonal  to  his  sister.  As  the  persons  named  have 
since  passed  away,  and  the  events  are  of  so  long  ago 
as  to  be  all  but  forgotten,  there  can  be  no  impro 
priety  in  this  publicity  at  the  present  day.  As  in 
dicated  in  the  last  preceding  letter  his  command  was 


82  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

ordered  to  report  to  General  Taylor,  and  thereupon 
proceeded  via  Matamoras  and  Camargo,  in  the 
state  of  Tamaulipas,  thence  to  the  city  of  Monterey, 
the  capital  of  Nuevo  Leon,  and  from  there  to  Sal- 
tillo,  the  capital  of  Coahuila.  Prior  to  the  battle  of 
Buena  Vista,  the  regular  troops,  which  included 
Lieutenant  Jackson's  command,  were  withdrawn 
from  General  Taylor's  army  and  ordered  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  River,  to  be  transferred 
from  there  to  Vera  Cruz,  the  new  base  of  operations 
of  General  Scott,  the  commander-in-chief.  As  stated, 
shortly  after  their  withdrawal  was  fought  the  noted 
battle  of  Buena  Vista.  One  can  imagine  the  chagrin 
and  disappointment  of  the  young  army  officer,  eager 
for  battle  and  longing  for  an  opportunity  to  distin 
guish  himself,  upon  receiving  news  of  this  great 
victory  gained  so  soon  after  his  departure  from 
General  Taylor's  command.  General  D.  H.  Hill 
says  that  in  conversation  with  Lieutenant  Jackson 
during  this  period  the  latter  said,  "  '  I  really  envy 
you  men  who  have  been  in  action.  /  should  like  to 
be  in  one  battle}  His  face  lighted  up,  and  eyes 
sparkled  as  he  spoke,  and  the  shy,  hesitating  man 
ner  gave  way  to  the  frank  enthusiasm  of  the  soldier."  * 
On  the  Qth  of  March  the  command,  numbering 
13,500,  were  disembarked  on  the  beach  near  Vera 
Cruz.  Jackson  frequently  afterwards  mentioned  this 
as  one  of  the  most  thrilling  spectacles  he  ever  wit 
nessed.  By  sunset  the  whole  force  was  paraded  on 

1  General    Hill's    article,   "The   Real   Stonewall   Jackson/'    Century 
Magazine  for  February,  1894.     By  permission. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      83 

shore  in  order  of  battle.  The  Mexican  garrison  in 
the  city  consisted  of  4,000  of  all  arms,  strongly  in 
trenched.  The  city  was  formally  invested.  On 
March  i8th  the  trenches  were  completed,  the  226. 
the  bombardment  was  commenced  with  heavy  ord 
nance,  which  was  followed  by  the  capitulation  of 
the  city  on  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  that  month 
and  the  surrender  of  the  entire  garrison,  and  four 
hundred  cannon.  The  fall  of  Vera  Cruz  was 
brought  about  principally  by  the  heavy  artillery,  and 
the  first  regiment  was  continuously  engaged.  The 
American  loss  was  small,  numbering  but  sixty-four 
killed  and  wounded.  Young  Jackson's  conduct  in 
this  engagement  was  such  as  to  attract  the  attention 
of  his  superior  officers,  and  a  few  months  later  he 
was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  "  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  at  the  siege  of  Vera  Cruz." 
He  having  been  recently — in  March — promoted  to 
second  lieutenant,  though  from  a  statement  in  his 
letter  of  date  March  30,  1847,  he  evidently  had 
not  received  notice  of  the  promotion.  The  letter 
was  written  from  camp  near  Vera  Cruz. 

DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  now  send  you  the  long  delayed  letter  and  hope 
that  you  will  pardon  my  procrastination.  Since  I  last 
wrote  you  I  have  been  at  Matamoras,  Camargo,  Monte 
rey  and  Saltillo  and  the  intermediate  towns.  At  present 
I  cannot  conveniently  give  you  more  than  a  general  idea 
of  the  portions  of  Mexico  that  have  fallen  under  my  ob 
servation,  but  hope  to  do  so  at  some  future  day  when 
things  are  more  settled  than  at  present.  And  I  also  pur- 


84  EAKLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

pose  on  writing  to  you  more  frequently.  It  would  have 
afforded  me  much  pleasure  to  have  been  with  the  gallant 
and  victorious  General  Taylor  at  the  battle  of  Buena 
Vista,  in  which  he  has  acquired  laurels  as  imperishable 
as  the  history  which  shall  record  the  invasion  of  Mexico 
by  our  victorious  armies  ;  but  I  was  ordered  away  from 
Saltillo  in  January  last,  and  I  believe  for  the  best,  inas 
much  as  I  am  now  with  the  most  important  portion  of 
the  army  and  on  the  most  important  line  of  operations. 
I  am  now  encamped  on  the  road  leading  from  Vera  Cruz 
to  the  city  of  Mexico.  Our  troops  landed  about  two 
miles  from  the  former  city  on  the  9th  instant,  and  on  the 
same  night  were  fired  on  by  the  Mexicans.  On  the  fol 
lowing  day  we  commenced  surrounding  the  city  and 
operating  against  it.  The  operations  after  the  investment 
was  completed  consisted  principally  in  bombarding  and 
cannonading,  which  were  continued  until  not  only  the 
city  but  the  castle  of  San  Juan  Dulloas  agreed  to  sur 
render.  The  capitulation  occurred  yesterday.  The  terms 
are  that  all  of  the  public  property  falls  into  our  hands. 
The  troops  march  out  under  the  condition  of  not  serving 
against  us  during  the  present  war  unless  exchanged. 
The  troops  marched  out  yesterday,  and  surrendered  their 
arms  and  we  took  possession  immediately.  This  capitu 
lation  has  thrown  into  our  hands  the  stronghold  of  this 
republic,  and  being  a  regular  siege,  in  connection  with 
other  circumstances  must  in  my  opinion  excel  any  mili 
tary  operations  known  in  the  history  of  our  country.  I 
approve  of  all  except  allowing  the  enemy  to  retire ;  that 
I  cannot  approve  of,  inasmuch  as  we  had  them  secure, 
and  could  have  taken  them  prisoners  of  war  uncondition 
ally.  Our  loss  is  not  accurately  known,  nor  that  of  the 
enemy  as  yet,  but  in  my  estimation  ours  cannot  exceed 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      85 

twenty  men  in  killed.1  We  lost  two  captains :  Captain 
Vinton  of  the  Artillery,  and  Captain  Alburtis  of  the  In 
fantry.  I  have  been  in  the  city  and  was  much  surprised 
at  its  strength.  It  is  surrounded  on  the  land  side  by  a 
wall  about  ten  feet  high  and  a  series  of  forts,  and  on  the 
other  side  is  protected  by  the  castle.  You  asked  me 
whether  I  belonged  to  General  Worth's  division.  I  had 
the  honor  of  being  in  it,  so  long  as  it  existed,  but  it 
has  been  broken  up.  During  the  past  siege  I  was  part 
of  the  time  with  him,  and  part  of  the  time  with  General 
Twiggs.  While  I  was  at  the  advanced  batteries,  a  can 
non  ball  came  in  about  five  steps  of  me.  I  presume 
you  think  my  name  ought  to  appear  in  the  papers, 
but  when  you  consider  the  composition  of  our  army, 
you  will  entertain  a  different  view ;  it  is  such  that 
only  those  who  have  independent  commands  are  as  a 
general  rule  spoken  of;  for  instance  Ridgely,  May, 
Bragg,  Duncan,  Ringold,  Smith  all  commanded  com 
panies.2  If  an  officer  wishes  to  distinguish  himself  he 
must  remain  long  in  service  until  he  obtains  rank ;  then 
he  receives  praise  not  only  for  his  efforts,  but  for  the 
efforts  of  the  officers  and  men  under  him.  That  portion 
of  the  praise  which  may  be  due  to  me  must  of  course  go 
to  those  above  me,  or  be  included  in  the  praise  given  to 
the  army.  I  expect  to  remain  in  Mexico  for  the  re 
mainder  of  the  war,  and  to  move  forward  with  the  leading 
brigade.  I  expect  to  be  promoted  in  a  short  time  to  a 
second  lieutenancy ;  this  will  probably  occasion  me  to 
leave  the  light  battery,  but  it  will  give  me  more  rank, 
which  is  of  the  greatest  importance  in  the  army.  Re 
member  me  in  the  warmest  terms  to  Mr.  Arnold  and 

1  Sixty-four  killed  and  wounded. 

8  See  page  93.    Probably  one  reason  for  desiring  service  with  Magruder. 


86  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

all  my  other  friends.  I  hope  soon  to  march  forward 
towards  the  city  of  Mexico.  Vera  Cruz  continues 
healthy.  I  intend  writing  soon  and  more  frequently, 
but  my  means  of  writing  are  poor.  I  am  now  using  a 
box  for  a  chair  and  my  camp  bedstead  as  a  writing  desk 
and  think  myself  comfortably  situated.  You  have  all  of 
the  conveniences  necessary,  and  I  hope  that  you  will  use 
them  to  write  often  to  one  who  esteems  you  above  all. 
You  will  take  particular  care  that  neither  this  nor  any 
subsequent  letter  gets  into  a  newspaper. 

After  the  battle  of  Vera  Cruz  General  Scott  ad 
vanced  to  Cerro  Gordo,  a  few  miles  east  of  Jalapa 
where  General  Santa  Anna  with  13,000  men  and 
forty-two  pieces  of  artillery  occupied  a  very  strong 
position  completely  commanding  the  great  national 
highway  leading  to  the  city  of  Mexico.  After  a 
careful  reconnaissance,  Captain  Robert  E.  Lee,  of 
Scott's  staff,  submitted  to  the  Commander-in-Chief 
a  plan  for  a  flank  movement,  that  would  be  hidden 
from  the  view  of  the  enemy,  at  the  western  extremity 
of  the  latter's  position,  which,  if  occupied  by  the 
Americans,  would  not  only  enable  them  to  assail 
Santa  Anna  from  an  unexpected  quarter  on  the  right 
and  turn  his  position,  but  would  completely  com 
mand  their  only  line  of  retreat,  the  whole  front  of  the 
enemy  to  be  threatened  and  pressed  during  the 
attack.  This  plan  was  adopted,  and  the  construc 
tion  of  a  rough  road  commenced  and  completed  the 
third  day,  by  which  the  infantry,  under  command  of 
General  Twiggs,  who  had  been  assigned  to  the  duty, 
strongly  supported  by  artillery,  and  by  Brigadier- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      87 

General  Shields  with  his  brigade,  were  enabled  to 
march  around  to  strike  the  enemy  in  the  rear  and 
right.  The  attack  was  made  in  the  early  morning 
of  April  1 8th  and  was  a  complete  surprise  to  the 
enemy  and  a  brilliant  success,  his  right  being  rolled 
back  in  confusion  on  his  centre.  Pillow  had  assailed 
his  left,  and  although  being  twice  repulsed,  and  un 
successful,  served  to  distract  and  occupy  the  Mexi 
cans.  In  this  battle  the  first  artillery  regiment  had 
fought  as  infantry.  The  Mexican  loss  in  this  en 
gagement  is  placed  at  1,200  killed  and  wounded, 
3,000  prisoners,  and  all  of  their  artillery.  The  Amer 
ican  army  numbered  about  8,500.  Their  loss  was 
sixty-three  killed  and  368  wounded — 431,  including 
two  generals.  They  pressed  forward  with  unabated 
enthusiasm,  giving  neither  halt  nor  rest  to  the  enemy. 
The  immediate  results  of  this  important  battle 
were  the  occupation  of  Jalapa  the  next  day,  the 
abandonment  of  the  works  and  artillery  at  La  Hoya, 
and  the  occupation  by  Worth's  division  of  the  power 
ful  fortress  and  town  of  Perote  with  fifty-four  guns, 
and  immense  supplies  of  ammunition,  followed  by 
the  occupation,  on  May  isth,  of  the  city  of  La  Puebla, 
eighty-five  miles  distant  from  the  capital  of  Mexico, 
without  a  shot  being  fired.  Immediately  following 
the  occupation  of  Jalapa,  young  Jackson  writes  to 
his  sister  as  follows  : 

Jalapa,  Mexico,  April  22,  184.7. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  promised  in  my  last  that  I  would  give  you  a 
more  detailed  account  of  Mexico  in  a  subsequent  letter. 


88  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

I  will  now  endeavor  to  comply  with  that  promise.  In 
doing  so  I  will  first  state  in  general  terms  that  the  portion 
of  northern  Mexico  which  has  fallen  under  my  observation 
is  mostly  a  vast  barren  waste,  cities  excepted.  There  are 
but  two  seasons  in  Mexico,  wet  and  dry.  In  consequence 
of  the  drought  there  is  but  little  vegetation  in  the  north. 
A  person  travelling  through  this  sterile  portion  of  country 
would  not  suppose  the  inhabitants  would  be  able  to  pay 
their  taxes.  In  the  cities  it  is  different ;  there  wealth  is 
frequently  found.  One  person  residing  in  Saltillo  is  said 
to  own  a  larger  area  of  land  than  the  state  of  New  York. 
Passing  to  the  south  the  aspect  of  things  change.  You 
frequently  see  elegant  buildings.  The  country  General 
Santa  Anna  owns  between  this  place  and  Vera  Cruz  con 
tains  three  beautiful  houses  and  a  tract  of  land  about 
fifty-five  miles  in  length.  The  country  in  the  south  is 
very  similar  to  our  own.  Whilst  I  was  in  Monterey  my 
quarters  were  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  having  a  large 
back  lot  attached,  which  contained  a  beautiful  orange 
orchard.  Also  in  this  lot  was  a  fine  bathing  establish 
ment,  the  pool  being  about  twenty-five  by  thirty  feet. 
Monterey  is  the  most  beautiful  city  which  I  have  seen  in 
the  north  of  this  distracted  country.  About  sixty  miles 
farther  west  is  Saltillo,  the  capital  of  Coahuila.  It  is 
situated  about  two  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of 
Monterey  on  an  inclined  plane  at  the  edge  of  the  table 
lands.  The  houses  are  generally  built  of  sun-dried  brick, 
as  are  most  of  the  houses  in  that  region.  The  church  is 
the  most  highly  ornamented  in  the  interior  of  any  edifice 
which  has  ever  come  under  my  observation.  Upon  enter 
ing  the  magnificent  structure  we  are  struck  with  the  gaudy 
appearance  on  every  side,  but  most  especially  the  oppo 
site  end  from  the  entrance,  which  appears  to  be  gilded. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      89 

At  the  base  is  a  magnificent  silver  altar,  and  on  each  side 
are  statues  which  cannot  fail  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
astonished  beholder.  The  music  is  of  the  highest  char 
acter.  The  priests  are  robed  in  the  most  gorgeous 
apparel.  The  inhabitants  take  off  their  hats  on  ap 
proaching  the  church  and  do  not  replace  them  until  they 
have  passed  it.  One  day  whilst  I  was  near  the  building 
I  observed  a  seilora  (lady)  gradually  approaching  the 
door.  Upon  another  occasion  I  saw  a  female  looking  at 
a  statue  and  weeping  like  a  child.  After  obtaining  a 
limited  transportation  for  General  Twiggs'  division,  it  set 
forward  for  Jalapa  on  the  road  leading  to  the  city  of 
Mexico.  But  on  arriving  at  near  Cerro  Gordo  we  learned 
that  General  Santa  Anna  held  the  pass  in  force.  Con 
sequently  we  waited  for  reinforcements,  which  finally 
arrived,  and  on  the  i^th  instant  we  attacked  the  Mexi 
cans,  but  did  not  succeed  in  routing  them  completely 
until  the  1 8th,  when  we  took  some  thousands  of  prisoners 
and  completely  routed  the  remainder.  We  followed  close 
on  the  retreating  column  until  night  and  came  near  enough 
to  give  them  a  few  shots  from  the  battery,  but  they  suc 
ceeded  in  effecting  their  escape  for  want  of  our  dragoons. 
General  Scott,  after  disarming  the  prisoners,  allowed 
them  to  retire  and  released  the  officers  on  parole.  But 
General  La  Vega,  who  is  again  our  prisoner,  refused  to 
accept  of  his,  and  I  presume  he  will  be  sent  back  to  the 
United  States.  Our  loss  has  been  considerable,  but  not 
known ;  neither  is  the  Mexican.1  General  Santa  Anna 
escaped,  but  in  his  haste  left  us  his  carnage  and  wooden 
leg,  together  with  some  thousands  of  dollars  in  specie. 
General  Twiggs'  division  fought  the  battle.  General 

1  The  Mexican  loss  was  1,200  killed  and  wounded,  3,000  prisoners  and 
43  pieces  of  artillery.     The  American  loss  was  63  killed  and  368  wounded. 


90  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Worth  has  again  got  a  division,  but  he  did  not  get  it 
into  action  owing  to  its  being  used  as  a  reserve,  and 
General  Twiggs'  as  the  advance.  Captain  Taylor  in  his 
report  to  General  Twiggs  has  spoken  of  me  in  very  flat 
tering  terms.  I  am  now  in  Jalapa,  which  is  situated  about 
sixty  miles  from  Vera  Cruz  and  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
five  from  the  city  of  Mexico.  General  Worth  is  now  in 
advance,  and  if  there  is  any  fighting  at  Perote  he  will  be 
apt  to  distinguish  himself.  He  will  probably  be  in  the 
vicinity  of  Perote  to-morrow  at  farthest  and  possibly  to 
day.  It  is  rumored  here  that  the  Mexicans  are  fortifying 
their  capital ;  if  so,  then  we  may  have  the  grand  battle 
there.  A  Mexican  officer  came  here  last  evening  from 
the  city  of  Mexico  and  stated  that  his  father  had  written 
to  him  from  San  Luis  1  stating  that  General  Taylor  was 
there  and  had  met  with  no  opposition.  I  can  say  no 
more,  as  I  have  just  learned  that  the  escort  by  which  I 
wish  to  send  this  has  started  and  I  must  mount  my  horse 
and  overtake  it  or  miss  a  good  opportunity.  I  am  in 
better  health  than  usual. 

At  the  time  when  the  next  letter  was  written,  it  is 
evident  that  young  Jackson  was  experiencing  the 
keenest  mortification.  He  had  already  suffered  in 
tense  disappointment  in  being  ordered  away  from 
General  Taylor  just  on  the  eve,  as  it  were,  of  the 
battle  of  Buena  Vista.  He  had  been  looking  for 
ward,  no  doubt  with  anticipated  pleasure,  to  his  pro 
motion  to  a  second  lieutenancy,  although  knowing 
that  it  would  more  than  likely  occasion  his  transfer 
from  Captain  Taylor's  company,  to  whom  he  was 
much  attached,  to  some  other.  Immediately  follow* 

1  Presumably  San  Luis  Potosi. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      91 

ing  his  promotion  he  not  only  was  transferred,  as  he 
had  feared,  to  a  battery  of  heavy  artillery,  but  this 
was  followed  by  an  order  that  seemed  to  mean  the 
complete  demolition  of  all  of  his  dreams  of  advance 
ment,  and  opportunity  to  win  distinction  and  fame, 
issued  by  General  Scott,  assigning  him  with  his  new 
company  of  heavy  guns  to  garrison  duty  at  Jalapa 
while  the  victorious  army  moved  forward  on  the 
highway  leading  to  the  city  of  Mexico.  That  he  ex 
hausted  every  influence  in  his  effort  to  avert  this 
seeming  calamity  is  clearly  manifest,  but  without 
avail.  The  letter  is  as  follows  : 


Jalapa  ,  May  25, 
LOVELY  SISTER  : 

I  have  the  mortification  of  being  left  to  garrison 
the  town  of  Jalapa.  Captain  Taylor  used  his  influence 
to  keep  me  with  him,  in  which  event  I  should  have  gone 
forward.  But  Colonel  Childs,  who  was  made  Military 
Governor  of  this  place,  got  General  Scott  to  issue  an 
order  requiring  me  to  join  my  company  which  was  under 
the  command  of  the  Governor.  Notwithstanding  my 
present  situation  I  have  some  hope  of  getting  forward  by 
and  by,  when  more  troops  get  in  from  the  States.  But 
all  this  is  with  General  Scott.  I  throw  myself  into  the 
hands  of  an  all  wise  God,  and  hope  that  it  may  yet  be 
for  the  better.  It  may  have  been  one  of  His  means  of 
diminishing  my  excessive  ambition  ;  and  after  having 
accomplished  His  purpose,  whatever  it  may  be,  He  then 
in  His  infinite  wisdom  may  gratify  my  desire.  The 
army  was  to  move  at  the  time  which  I  mentioned.  But 
General  Scott  concluded  to  disband  the  volunteers,  as 
their  time  had  nearly  expired.  And  this  so  much  di- 


92  EAKLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

minished  our  force  that  we  delayed  the  advance  until  a 
couple  of  days  since.  General  Scott  left  on  Sunday  with 
an  escort,  following  in  the  wake  of  his  troops.  General 
Worth  has  been  in  Puebla  for  about  ten  days.  Santa 
Anna  marched  from  Orizaba  and  commenced  fortifying 
about  half-way  between  the  cities  of  Puebla  and  Mexico  ; 
but  owing  to  some  cause  he  relinquished  it,  and  marched 
into  the  capital,  left  the  army,  and  is  now  in  the  Presi 
dential  chair.  As  to  his  motives  I  cannot  say  anything 
certain,  but  I  suppose  that  he  thinks  that  his  influence 
will  be  more  powerful  there  than  elsewhere.  .  .  .  An 
election  was  held  on  the  I5th  instant  for  President,  and 
Herrara  was  the  successful  candidate,  but  will  not  take 
his  seat  for  a  few  months  yet.  I  am  in  fine  quarters  and 
making  rapid  progress  in  the  Spanish  language,  and  have 
an  idea  of  making  some  lady  acquaintances  shortly.  I 
see  many  things  here  of  interest  in  the  way  of  ornament 
and  fruits.  I  wish  that  I  only  had  an  opportunity  of 
sending  some  to  you  and  Thomas.  I  well  know  that  he 
would  like  to  have  a  "  ranchero  "  (Mexican)  on  horse 
back,  followed  by  some  large  dogs.1  I  would  be  much 
pleased  to  hear  from  Wirt,  poor  fellow.2  Give  my  re 
spects  to  your  estimable  husband.  I  think  of  you  often, 
and  my  heart  has  more  than  once  upbraided  me  for  my 
neglect  of  you.  But  I  feared  to  inform  you  of  things  as 
they  were.  .  .  . 

Your  brother  always, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Remember  me  to  the  worthy  people  of  Beverley  and  to 
my  relatives  in  the  vicinity. 

T.  J.  J. 

Postmarked  New  Orleans,  June  8tk. 

1  Toys  of  Mexican  manufacture. 

2  His  half-brother,  who  was  in  delicate  health. 


VI 

MEXICO— Continued  (1846-1848) 

IT  may  be  readily  imagined  that  young*  Jackson 
availed  himself  of  every  possible  opening  dis 
cernible  in  his  efforts  to  extricate  himself  from 
his  unfortunate  predicament,  and  that  he  kept  his 
friends  actively  on  the  alert  to  aid  him  in  every  con 
ceivable  way.  It  so  happened  that,  in  the  recent 
battles,  Captain  John  B.  Magruder  had  captured  a 
light  field  battery,  which  General  Scott  presented  to 
him  as  a  reward  for  his  conspicuous  gallantry. 
There  was  a  vacancy  in  the  second  lieutenancy  in 
this  battery.  It  was  claimed  that  the  young  officers 
disliked  to  serve  under  Magruder  ;  that  he  was  not 
only  inclined  to  keep  his  men  in  a  constant  state  of 
unrest,  but  that  he  was  unusually  hot-tempered. 
Jackson,  upon  being  informed  of  this  vacancy,  at 
once  applied  for  and  succeeded  in  securing  the  posi 
tion,  and  was  subsequently  transferred  to  that  com 
pany.  In  later  years  he  said,  "  I  wanted  to  see 
active  service,  to  be  near  the  enemy  in  the  fight ; 
and  when  I  heard  that  John  Magruder  had  got  his 
battery,  I  bent  all  my  energies  to  be  with  him ;  for  I 
knew  if  any  fighting  was  to  be  done  Magruder 
would  be  on  hand."  l  From  this  time  until  after  the 
capitulation  of  the  city  of  Mexico  he  served  with 

»  Dabney. 
93 


94  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Magruder,  and  evidently  not  only  to  the  entire  satis 
faction  of  that  dashing  and  gallant  officer,  but  in  a 
manner  to  command  the  latter' s  highest  admiration 
and  esteem.  And  this  feeling  must  have  been 
mutual,  as  he  later  chose  young  Jackson  as  his 
closest  friend  to  be  the  bearer  of  a  challenge  to 
General  (afterwards  President)  Pierce.1 

At  the  date  when  young  Jackson  was  assigned  to 
the  position  above  referred  to,  Magruder  with  his 
company  was  in  advance  with  the  army,  under 
General  Scott,  on  the  road  leading  to  the  city  of 
Mexico,  Jackson,  as  stated,  being  on  garrison  duty 
at  Jalapa.  Upon  receiving  the  order  to  report  to 
Captain  Magruder  for  duty,  Lieutenant  Jackson,  in 
company  with  a  small  escort,  at  once  set  forth  in  the 
wake  of  General  Scott's  army,  with  the  view  of  over 
taking  and  joining  his  new  command  as  speedily 
as  possible.  At  that  period  there  were  scattered 
throughout  this  section  of  Mexico  numerous  small 
detachments  from  the  recently  defeated  army  of 
Santa  Anna,  besides  bands  of  marauders  and 
Mexican  guerrillas,  sufficiently  numerous  and  in 
large  enough  force  to  make  travelling  very  hazard 
ous  for  any  small  detachments  of  Americans  who 
might  be  out  of  sight  of,  or  have  occasion  to  be 
separated  from,  the  main  army  of  occupation. 
Lieutenant  Jackson  encountered  several  of  these 
bands  while  on  this  march  and  on  one  occasion,  at 
least,  the  enemy  was  in  sufficient  force  to  encourage 

1 "  The  Real  Stonewall  Jackson,"  General  D.  H.  Hill,  in  the  Century 
Magazine  of  February,  1894. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      95 

them  to  assail  this  small  isolated  squad,  with  the  sup 
posed  certainty  of  its  destruction.  The  hand-to-hand 
combat  was  of  short  duration,  however,  and  resulted 
in  the  complete  discomfiture  of  the  Mexicans,  who 
were  put  to  flight  with  the  loss  of  four  killed  and 
three  captured,  the  remainder  effecting  their  escape. 

Dr.  Dabney  in  writing  of  the  light  artillery  says, 
"  The  rapid  manoeuvring  of  light  artillery  in  action 
was  a  new  feature  in  American  warfare.  Its  brilliant 
results  at  Palo  Alto,  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  at  Buena 
Vista,  had  delighted  General  Taylor,  and  electrified 
the  country.  Jackson  foresaw  that  this  arm  of  war 
fare  was  henceforth  destined  to  be  used  in  every 
battle,  and  to  be  always  thrust  forward  to  the  post  of 
danger  and  of  honor.  To  a  soul  thirsting,  like  his, 
for  distinction,  this  was  motive  enough  for  preferring 
it.  And  he  said  that,  determined  as  he  was  to  do 
his  whole  duty,  and  to  consecrate  himself  wholly  to 
his  functions  as  a  soldier,  he  had  no  fears  of  being 
unable  to  satisfy  the  rigidity  of  its  captain.  In  this 
he  was  not  disappointed." 

It  is  evident  from  the  foregoing  that  several 
reasons  influenced  Jackson  to  apply  for  a  transfer  to 
Magruder's  company,  viz.,  first,  Believing  that  in 
service  under  that  dashing  officer,  with  his  battery 
of  light  artillery,  the  chances  of  getting  into  battle 
and  winning  fame  would  be  greatly  enhanced. 
Second,  That  being  an  independent  company,  the 
officers  thereof  would  receive  personal  credit  for  what 
ever  the  company  accomplished,  as  distinguished 
from  a  regiment  of  regulars,  where  what  reputation 


96  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

was  gained  would  be  bestowed  in  the  usual  manner 
upon  the  commanding  officer.1  Third,  To  get  free 
from  garrison  duty,  and  into  active  service.  The 
latter,  without  doubt,  was  the  prime  factor  in  causing 
him  to  so  eagerly  seek  a  transfer  to  Magruder's  com 
pany.  And,  in  his  own  opinion,  his  Creator,  having 
sufficiently  punished  him  for  his  inordinate  ambition, 
crowned  his  efforts  with  success  in  permitting  him 
to  obtain  service  in  that  company,  which  of  all 
others,  as  it  subsequently  transpired,  afforded  the 
best  opportunity  for  his  attaining  advancement  and 
fame.2  The  American  army  remained  at  Puebla 
from  the  time  of  entry,  May  I5th,  until  early  in 
August.  This  long  delay  was  occasioned  by  having 
to  await  the  arrival  of  reinforcements. 

It  seems  that  several  regiments  of  volunteers 
which  had  enlisted  for  but  a  brief  service  had  grown 
tired  of  war  and  clamored  for  their  discharge. 
Finally,  with  a  force  of  somewhat  less  than  13,000  of 
all  arms,  not  including  1,300  effectives  and  convales 
cents  left  as  a  garrison  at  Puebla,  General  Scott, 
early  in  August,  moved  out  from  the  latter  city  on 
the  road  leading  to  the  capital.  He  had  organized 
this  force  into  four  divisions  :  the  first  under  Major- 
General  Worth,  whose  command  some  time  before 
had  been  broken  up  by  transfer  of  troops  ;  the  second 
under  Major-General  Twiggs  ;  the  third  under  Major- 
General  Pillow,  to  which  division  Magruder's  battery 
was  assigned ;  the  fourth  under  Major-General 

1See  letter  of  March  30,  1847,  P-  85. 
2  See  letter  of  October  26,  1847,  P.  I2& 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      97 

Pierce,  the  last  being  composed  principally  of  volun 
teers  and  marines.  There  were  in  addition  four  field 
batteries,  a  brigade  of  cavalry  and  a  few  pieces  of 
heavier  ordnance  suitable  for  siege  operations.  In 
the  meantime  General  Santa  Anna  had  reorganized 
his  army,  estimated  at  30,000,  and  with  a  large 
number  of  heavy  batteries  was  now  prepared  to 
meet  the  Americans.  The  latter  after  leaving  Puebla, 
on  the  loth  of  August,  crossed  the  Rio  Frio  Moun 
tains,  the  pass  being  at  an  altitude  of  10,000  feet, 
and  in  descending  the  western  slope  of  which  ob 
tained  their  first  view  of  the  magnificent  capital  city 
and  surrounding  valley  in  the  distance.  They  en 
countered  no  serious  obstacle  in  their  line  of  march 
until  within  some  eight  or  ten  miles  of  the  city  of 
Mexico,  at  the  mountain  ridge  of  El  Pefion,  which 
for  some  distance  encircles  the  great  basin,  in  the 
centre  of  which  the  city  is  located.  This  ridge  and 
Mexicalcingo  to  the  left  of  it  were  so  strongly  forti 
fied  that  it  was  clearly  apparent  to  General  Scott 
that  to  attempt  to  force  his  way  through  either  of 
the  seemingly  possible  approaches  could  only  be  ac 
complished  at  a  very  great  sacrifice  to  his  army. 
He  thereupon  fell  back  a  short  distance  to  Ayotla. 
The  Commander-in-Chief  was  ably  assisted  by  an 
exceptionally  brilliant  staff  of  engineers,  presumably 
of  his  own  choosing,  viz.  :  Robert  E.  Lee,  George  B. 
McClellan,  P.  G.  T.  Beauregard  and  Gustavus  W. 
Smith.  Lee  was  the  eldest  and  most  experienced, 
and  was  deservedly  held  in  high  esteem  in  the 
confidence  of  his  general.  These  engineers  demon- 


98  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

strated  to  Scott  that  by  marching  to  the  left  a  road 
might  be  opened  with  considerable  labor  across  a 
rough  volcanic  country,  seamed  with  ravines,  but 
over  which  it  was  possible  to  transport  artillery,  that 
would  bring  them  to  the  southwest  of  the  city,  thus 
rendering  valueless  the  formidable  barriers  and  forti 
fications  erected  by  the  Mexicans  at  El  Penon  and 
Mexicalcingo.  Approving  the  proposed  plan,  and 
leaving  Twiggs'  division  at  Ayotla  to  threaten  the 
Mexican  front  and  deceive  the  enemy  as  long  as 
practicable,  after  a  very  tedious  and  roundabout 
march  of  some  thirty  miles,  the  village  of  San 
Augustin,  on  the  great  road  leading  to  the  city  from 
the  south,  was  reached,  and  headquarters  established 
there,  only  some  eight  miles  southwest  of  the  city. 
No  serious  opposition  from  the  Mexicans  was  en 
countered  on  the  flank  march.  Across  the  road  to 
the  north  of  San  Augustin,  to  which  the  Mexican 
commander  had  hastily  transferred  his  army,  were 
formidable  lines  of  fortifications,  supported  by  heavy 
guns.  To  the  east  of  this  road  was  an  impassable 
morass  and  lake.  To  the  west  extending  for  several 
miles  to  the  mountains  in  the  direction  of  Magdalena 
was  a  barren  stretch  covered  with  sharp  rocks  and 
innumerable  deep  fissures  over  which  neither  horse 
nor  vehicle,  it  was  supposed,  could  pass,  known  as 
the  Pedregal. 

The  engineers  again  seemed  equal  to  the  occa 
sion.  A  bridle  path  was  discovered  by  Captain  Lee 
leading  across  this  waste.  Protected  by  a  strong 
escort  it  was  rapidly  converted  into  a  passable  road, 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON      99 

over  which  Pillow's  and  Worth's  divisions,  with  Ma- 
gruder's  light  battery,  crossed.  At  the  western  ex 
tremity  of  the  Pedregal  was  another  magnificent 
road  leading  to  the  capital  from  the  southwest ;  and 
by  following  this  road  the  position  of  the  Mexican 
army  could  be  assailed  from  the  rear.  The  flanking 
force  came  in  view  of  this  highway  at  a  point  some 
fourteen  miles  southwest  of  the  city,  only  to  discover 
that  this  road  as  well  as  its  approaches  from  the 
Pedregal  was  protected  by  a  division  of  some  6,000 
Mexicans  under  the  command  of  General  Valencia, 
strongly  entrenched  and  supported  by  twenty-two 
pieces  of  artillery  in  position  on  a  seemingly  inac 
cessible  foot-hill  of  the  mountain  range,  extending 
along  the  west  side  of  the  road.  The  further  prog 
ress  of  the  Americans  was  completely  checked. 
About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  brigade,  sup 
ported  by  Magruder's  battery,  occupied  the  summit 
of  a  hill  within  half  a  mile  of  the  enemy's  breastworks. 
Magruder  immediately  unlimbered  and  opened  fire, 
under  protection  of  which  the  infantry  advanced. 
But  the  Mexican  artillery  was  far  superior  both  in 
number  and  metal  and  completely  swept  the  ground 
in  front.  For  three  hours  the  battle  continued,  the 
Americans  making  no  impression.  On  the  right, 
however,  with  extreme  difficulty  they  succeeded  in 
crossing  a  small  spur  of  the  Pedregal,  covered  with 
dense  chaparral,  and  occupied  the  village  of  Contre- 
ras.  General  Scott  in  commenting  on  the  battle 
said,  "The  infantry  could  not  advance  in  column 
without  being  mowed  down  by  grape  and  canister ; 


100  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

nor  advance  in  line  without  being  ridden  down  by 
the  enemy's  numerous  horsemen."  The  Mexicans 
made  several  charges  with  infantry  and  cavalry,  but 
were  each  time  repulsed.  Darkness  ended  the  com 
bat.  The  situation  was  anything  but  encouraging 
to  the  invaders.  Strong  reinforcements  of  Mexicans 
were  advancing  from  the  city ;  the  remainder  of  the 
American  army  was  with  General  Scott  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Pedregal,  five  miles  distant.  The  rain 
poured  down  in  torrents,  completely  drenching  the 
men.  A  charge  having  been  made  by  a  Mexican 
battalion,  General  Pillow  withdrew  Magruder's  bat 
tery  from  the  ridge,  the  first  lieutenant,  Johnstone, 
and  some  fifteen  gunners  having  already  fallen. 
The  Mexican  reinforcements  referred  to,  advancing 
from  the  city,  had  halted,  their  advance  guards  be 
ing  only  a  few  hundred  yards  north  of  Contreras. 
The  prospect  of  success  looked  gloomy.  A  council 
of  war  was  called,  the  situation  fully  discussed,  and 
the  following  course  agreed  upon  :  two  regiments  to 
be  left  at  Contreras  under  General  Cadwallader  with 
the  design  of  holding  the  large  body  of  reinforce 
ments  in  check,  and  a  night  flank  march  to  be  made 
in  an  attempt  to  assail  the  rear  of  the  intrenchments 
on  the  ridge.  Robert  E.  Lee  has  always  been  ac 
credited  with  having  devised  and  suggested  the  plan 
successfully  adopted.  The  council  was  brought  to  a 
close  and  Lee  immediately  departed  through  the 
rain  alone  over  the  dangerous  Pedregal  road  to 
submit  the  proposed  plan  to  General  Scott.  He 
reached  Scott's  headquarters  at  eleven  o'clock  that 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  3A£B:@0#: 


night,  and  urged  that  a  powerful  diversion  towards 
morning  be  directed  at  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  in 
trenched  camp.  This  hazardous  journey  won  from 
his  chief  the  compliment  of  being  "  the  greatest  feat 
of  physical  and  moral  courage  performed  by  any  in 
dividual  during  the  entire  campaign." 

Lee,  accompanied  by  General  Twiggs,  was  sent  at 
once  to  collect  the  forces  about  San  Augustin  with 
which  to  make  the  diversion.  The  flank  movement 
was  made  by  a  night  march,  starting  at  three  o'clock 
A.  M.,  under  the  guidance  of  Beauregard,  Smith  and 
others,  directed  towards  the  enemy's  left,  over  al 
most  impassable  ground.  They  selected  a  position 
within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  Mexican  intrench- 
ments,  and  awaited  for  day.  At  sunrise  they 
charged,  carrying  the  works  in  a  rush.  Cadwallader 
not  only  successfully  diverted  the  enemy  as  directed, 
but  simultaneous  with  the  attack  in  the  rear,  assailed 
with  a  part  of  his  force  under  Colonel  Ransom,  con 
ducted  by  Lee,  the  enemy's  front,  pouring  destruc 
tive  volleys  into  their  works.  The  enemy  attacked 
in  front  and  rear  at  the  same  time  was  completely 
routed.  The  Americans  had  4,500  engaged;  their 
loss  did  not  exceed  fifty.1  The  Mexican  loss  was 
placed  at  800,  and  about  that  number  of  prisoners. 
The  enemy's  reinforcements  were  unable  to  inter 
vene,  being  held  in  check  by  General  Shields,  who 
had  remained  at  Contreras  ;  they  retreated  towards 
the  city  after  the  repulse.  The  manoeuvring  of  the 
American  army  at  Contreras  has  been  remarked 

1  Scott's  «  Memoirs." 


102  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

upon  as  probably  the  best  example  of  the  art  of  strat 
egy  occurring  throughout  the  campaign,  combined 
with  indefatigable  energy  and  perseverance,  and 
which  was  supplemented  with  a  cheerful  and  ready 
response  from  the  soldiery.  When  all  was  in  readi 
ness  the  work  was  undertaken  and  completed  within 
a  remarkably  short  time.  The  Mexicans  were  given 
no  respite ;  they  were  pressed  incessantly,  and  kept 
on  the  run,  all  joining  in  the  pursuit.  General  Scott 
after  giving  the  necessary  orders  went  forward  with 
General  Pillow's  column.  Among  the  captures  were 
two  six-pounders  previously  taken  by  the  Mexicans 
from  the  fourth  artillery  at  Buena  Vista.  Santa 
Anna,  realizing  that  his  communications  between 
San  Antonio  and  the  city  were  in  immediate  danger, 
ordered  that  post  to  be  abandoned  and  the  garrison 
to  fall  back  to  Churubusco,  towards  which  strong 
hold  the  Mexicans  were  being  hotly  pursued. 

At  the  hacienda  of  Churubusco  was  the  strongly 
fortified  church  or  convent  of  San  Pablo,  which 
Twiggs  with  a  brigade  and  battery  was  ordered  to 
attack.  Pierce  at  the  same  time  was  sent  to  attack 
the  right  and  rear  in  order  to  aid  the  movement 
against  the  convent  and  cut  off  retreat.  Shields 
was  directed  to  follow  Pierce.  The  Americans  as 
sailed  the  position  in  force  before  the  Mexicans  could 
gain  time  to  rally  from  the  confusion  incident  to  their 
retreat.  After  a  hot  fight  of  several  hours,  in  which 
the  artillery  played  a  conspicuous  part,  the  Mexicans 
having  been  beaten  back  in  a  sortie,  a  general  as 
sault  was  ordered  along  the  whole  line,  resulting  so 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    103 

successfully  that  signals  of  surrender  were  displayed 
from  the  convent,  and  the  defeat  of  the  entire  army 
effected,  which  was  followed  by  their  precipitate 
flight  to  the  city,  with  the  Americans  in  close  pursuit, 
their  cavalry  in  the  lead,  with  drawn  sabres  assailing 
the  demoralized  soldiery,  almost  to  the  gates  of  the 
city.  The  Mexican  loss  was  3,000  prisoners,  3,250 
killed  and  wounded,  thirty-seven  guns  and  a  large 
supply  of  ammunition.  The  American  loss  was 
1,053.  I*1  tne  two  days'  fighting  Jackson's  section  of 
three  guns,  to  the  command  of  which  he  had  suc 
ceeded  in  the  .first  day's  battle  at  Contreras,  when 
Lieutenant  Johnston  fell,  had  been  handled  with  such 
skill  as  to  command  the  highest  admiration  of  his 
immediate  commander.  Magruder  in  his  official  re 
port  states,1  "  In  a  few  moments  Lieutenant  Jackson, 
commanding  the  second  section  of  the  battery,  who 
had  opened  fire  upon  the  enemy's  works  from  a  posi 
tion  on  the  right,  hearing  our  fire  still  further  in 
front,  advanced  in  handsome  style,  and  kept  up  the 
fire  with  great  briskness  and  effect.  His  conduct 
was  ^equally  conspicuous  during  the  whole  day,  and 
I  cannot  too  highly  commend  him  to  the  major- 
general's  favorable  consideration."  For  his  gal 
lantry  on  this  occasion  young  Jackson  was  honored 
with  the  brevet  rank  of  captain  of  artillery. 

It  would  seem  that  the  American  vim  had  been 
expended,  and  that  they  were  now  to  experience  a 
reaction.  In  the  two  days'  fighting  of  August  igth 
and  20th,  the  Mexicans  had  met  with  two  disastrous 

1  Referring  to  Contreras. 


104:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

defeats,  in  each  of  which  they  had  sustained  heavy 
losses  in  men  and  munitions  of  war.  Both  the  army 
and  civilians  were  panic  stricken.  Yet  General  Scott 
knowing  that  the  larger  portion  of  his  army  had 
been  in  constant  marching  or  hard  fighting  for  two 
consecutive  days,  and  had  passed  the  intervening 
night  without  rest,  drenched  with  rain,  executing  a 
difficult  flank  march  between  the  hours  of  three 
o'clock  in  the  night  and  break  of  day,  resulting  in 
the  victory  of  Contreras,  the  immediate  pursuit  of 
the  enemy  without  rest  or  intermission  to  Churu- 
busco,  and  had  there,  after  a  most  stubborn  resist 
ance,  defeated  the  entire  army  of  Santa  Anna,  were 
absolutely  exhausted  and  required  rest.  He  further 
fully  realized  what  an  accident  or  mistake  would 
mean  to  a  small  army  of  some  8,000  at  the  gates  of 
the  capital  of  a  hostile  country,  virtually  cut  off  from 
any  line  of  retreat.  Instead  of  pressing  forward  and 
possibly  encompassing  the  immediate  downfall  of 
the  city,  he  adopted  the  more  prudent  and  safe 
course.  He  believed  with  sound  reason  that  with 
such  an  experience  the  enemy  was  in  a  condition  to 
sue  for  peace,  and  thus  avert  unnecessary  bloodshed. 
With  this  very  natural  conclusion  he  proposed  an 
armistice  with  the  purpose  of  negotiating  a  peace. 
He  had  not,  however,  in  doing  this  reckoned  with 
Santa  Anna's  personal  ambition.  The  armistice  was 
agreed  to,  and  of  which  it  is  claimed  that  Santa 
Anna  availed  himself  to  reorganize  his  demoralized 
soldiery  and  strengthen  his  fortifications.  When 
this  was  attained,  he  felt  in  a  position  to  confront  the 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    105 

Americans.  Scott's  terms  were  rejected.  The  city 
was  still  to  be  won  only  by  much  hard  fighting.  On 
September  5th  the  contest  was  renewed.  In  the 
early  morning  of  the  8th  the  fortifications  of  Molino 
del  Rey,  consisting  of  a  massive  series  of  buildings, 
originally  a  flour  mill,  afterwards  converted  into  a 
foundry  for  the  manufacture  of  arms,  but  now  gar 
risoned  by  the  most  seasoned  veteran  Mexican 
troops,  was  assaulted.  The  fighting  was  desperate  ; 
800  Americans  were  killed  or  wounded  before  the 
intrenchments  were  finally  carried.  The  Mexicans 
lost  3,000  and  two  generals.  In  this  affair  Jackson 
was  assigned  to  protect  the  flank  of  the  force  en 
gaged  from  the  Mexican  cavalry,  which  he  did  with 
good  effect  in  some  well-directed  shots.  Although 
driven  from  their  outworks,  the  enemy  had  fallen 
back  to  the  more  formidable  palace  of  Chapultepec, 
a  half  mile  distant,  located  on  an  isolated  eminence 
some  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  being  a 
strongly  fortified  citadel  crowning  the  hill,  designed 
so  as  to  command  the  highway  leading  to  the  city. 
Its  approaches  were  protected  by  outworks  both  at 
its  base  and  on  its  acclivities.  This  castle  was  the 
National  Military  School ;  and  in  addition  to  the 
cadets  then  in  attendance,  was  strongly  garrisoned 
with  their  choicest  soldiery.  The  occupancy  of 
Chapultepec  was  considered  indispensable  to  the 
capture  of  the  city.  It  was  regarded  as  being  well- 
nigh  impregnable.  Scott  determined  to  carry  it  by 
storm.  To  make  the  attack  a  brigade  of  infantry 
supported  by  batteries  was  placed  near  the  southern 


106  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

gates  of  the  city  and  kept  up  a  continuous  fire 
throughout  the  I2th  and  to  the  afternoon  of  the  I3th 
of  September,  forcing  the  enemy  to  remain  within 
the  walls  of  the  city,  and  thus  holding  a  large  part 
of  the  Mexican  army  on  the  defensive.  The  night 
of  the  nth  four  batteries  of  heavy  guns  were  placed 
within  easy  range.  Throughout  the  I2th  and  the 
morning  of  the  I3th  a  heavy  fire  was  directed 
against  the  castle  and  outworks.  Covered  by  this 
fire,  Pillow  shortly  after  eight  o'clock,  supported  by 
Worth,  assailed  the  fortress  on  the  west  and  north. 
Simultaneously  Quitman,  supported  by  part  of 
Twiggs'  division,  attacked  from  the  southeast,  the 
batteries  throwing  shot  and  shell  upon  the  enemy 
over  the  heads  of  the  attacking  columns.  The  four 
teenth  infantry,  under  Colonel  Trousdale,  was  sta 
tioned  so  as  to  form  a  connecting  link  between 
Pillow  and  Worth,  and  to  do  so  occupied  a  road 
skirting  the  base  of  the  hill.  While  at  Molino  del 
Rey  Jackson's  duty  consisted  in  holding  off  the 
cavalry  while  the  fight  was  in  progress,  Magruder's 
battery  being  under  Pillow.  At  Chapultepec,  how 
ever,  Jackson's  section  was  segregated  from  the  bat 
tery  and  he  was  ordered  to  support  this  connecting 
link.  He  had  been  pushed  forward  with  his  section 
by  Colonel  Trousdale  into  a  position  of  great  danger. 
And  now  quoting  from  Colonel  Henderson's  "  Stone 
wall  Jackson  "  : 

"  The  ground  was  so  marshy  that  the  guns  were 
unable  to  leave  the  road.  A  Mexican  field-piece, 
covered  by  a  breastwork,  raked  the  causeway  from 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    107 

end  to  end,  while  from  the  heights  of  Chapultepec 
cannon  of  large  calibre  poured  down  a  destructive 
fire.  The  infantry  suffered  terribly.  It  was  impos 
sible  to  advance  along  the  narrow  track ;  and  when 
the  guns  under  Jackson  were  ordered  up,  the  situ 
ation  was  in  no  way  bettered.  Nearly  every  horse 
was  killed  or  wounded.  A  deep  ditch,  cut  across 
the  road,  hindered  effective  action,  and  the  only 
position  where  reply  to  the  enemy's  fire  was  pos 
sible  lay  beyond  this  obstacle.  Despite  the  losses 
of  his  command,  Jackson  managed  to  lift  one  gun 
across  by  hand,  but  his  men  became  demoralized. 
They  left  their  posts.  The  example  of  their  lieuten 
ant  walking  up  and  down  on  the  shot-swept  road, 
and  exclaiming  calmly,  '  There  is  no  danger ;  see, 
I  am  not  hit,'  failed  to  inspire  them  with  confidence. 
Many  had  already  fallen.  The  infantry  with  the 
exception  of  a  small  escort,  which  held  its  ground 
with  difficulty,  had  disappeared ;  and  General 
Worth,  observing  Jackson's  perilous  situation,  sent 
him  orders  to  retire.  He  replied  it  was  more  dan 
gerous  to  withdraw  than  to  stand  fast,  and  if  they 
would  give  him  fifty  veterans,  he  would  rather  at 
tempt  the  capture  of  the  breastwork.1  At  this  junc 
ture  Magruder,  losing  his  horse  as  he  galloped  for 
ward,  reached  the  road.  The  ditch  was  crowded 
with  soldiers ;  many  wounded,  many  already  dead, 
many  whose  hearts  had  failed  them.  Beyond,  on 

1  Jackson  says  he  asked  for  a  company  of  regulars.  Upon  which 
Worth  moved  forward  a  whole  brigade.  See  letter  of  October  26,  1847, 
p.  130. 


108  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

the  narrow  causeway,  the  one  gun  which  Jackson 
had  brought  across  the  ditch  was  still  in  action. 
Deserted  by  his  gunners,  and  abandoned  by  the 
escort  which  had  been  ordered  to  support  him,  the 
young  subaltern  still  held  his  ground.  With  the 
sole  assistance  of  a  sergeant,  of  stauncher  mettle 
than  the  rest,  he  was  loading  and  firing  his  solitary 
field-piece,  rejoicing,  as  became  the  son  of  a  warrior 
race,  in  the  hot  breath  of  battle,  and  still  more  in 
the  isolation  of  his  perilous  position.  To  stand 
alone,  in  the  foreground  of  the  fight,  defying  the 
terrors  from  which  others  shrank,  was  the  situation 
which  of  all  others  he  most  coveted  ;  and  under  the 
walls  of  Chapultepec,  answering  shot  for  shot  and 
plying  sponge  and  hand-spike  with  desperate 
energy,  the  fierce  instincts  of  the  soldier  were  fully 
gratified.  Nor  was  Magruder  the  man  to  proffer 
prudent  counsels.  A  second  gun  was  hoisted 
across  the  ditch ;  the  men  rallied,  the  Mexican  ar 
tillery  was  gradually  overpowered,  and  the  breast 
work  stormed,"  The  enemy  were  driven  from  their 
intrenchments  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  a  charge 
was  ordered.  "  A  redoubt  which  stood  midway  up 
the  height  was  carried  ;  the  Mexicans  fell  back  from 
shelter  to  shelter."  The  scaling  ladders  were 
brought  into  use.  The  enemy  assailed  in  front  and 
flank  drew  back  and  after  a  short  struggle  the 
American  flag  was  displayed  from  the  castle.  "  The 
greater  portion  of  the  garrison  had  fled  from  their 
intrenchments  before  the  castle  had  been  stormed. 
Infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery  were  crowding  in 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    109 

panic  on  the  causeways.  But  their  numbers  were 
formidable,  and  the  city,  should  the  army  be  rallied, 
was  capable  of  a  protracted  defense."  "  Many  of 
the  stormers  had  dispersed  in  search  of  plunder, 
and  regiments  and  brigades  had  become  hopelessly 
intermingled.  Still  the  pursuit  was  prompt  towards 
the  San  Cosme  gate."  "  Jackson's  guns  were  soon 
abreast  of  the  fighting  line.  His  teams  had  been 
destroyed  by  the  fire  of  the  Mexican  batteries  ;  those 
of  his  ammunition  waggons  further  to  the  rear  had 
partially  escaped."  "To  disengage  the  dead  ani 
mals  from  the  limbers  and  replace  them  by  others 
would  have  wasted  many  minutes,  and  he  had  ea 
gerly  suggested  to  Magruder  that  the  guns  should 
be  attached  to  the  wagon  limbers  instead  of  to 
their  own.  Permission  was  given,  and  in  a  few 
moments  his  section  was  thundering  past  the  cliffs 
of  Chapultepec.  Coming  into  action  within  close 
range  of  the  flying  Mexicans,  every  shot  told  on 
their  demoralized  masses.1  But  before  the  San 
Cosme  gate  the  enemy  made  a  last  effort  to  avert 
defeat.  Fresh  troops  were  brought  up  to  man  the 
outworks ;  the  houses  and  gardens  which  lined  the 
road  were  filled  with  skirmishers ;  from  the  high 
parapets  of  the  flat  housetops  a  hail  of  bullets  struck 
the  head  of  the  pursuing  column.  Again  and  again 
the  American  infantry,  without  cover,  and  with  little 
space  for  movement,  recoiled  from  the  attack."  2 
The  assaulting  column  at  Chapultepec  consisted 

1  See  letter  of  Mr.  Sylvanus  White,  p.  177. 

2  Henderson's  "  Jackson." 


110  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

of  two  hundred  and  sixty  regulars  under  Captain 
McKenzie,  second  artillery,  assigned  to  General 
Pillow ;  Twiggs  supplied  a  like  number  to  General 
Quit  man  under  Captain  Casey,  second  infantry, 
all  of  whom  volunteered  for  the  work.  The  officers 
were  promised  promotion,  the  men  pecuniary  re 
ward.1  Pillow  upon  emerging  from  a  grove  filled 
with  sharp-shooters  was  seriously  wounded,  General 
Cadwallader  taking  his  place.  The  scaling  of  the 
heights  was  done  with  such  a  rush  that  the  enemy 
was  not  given  time  to  fire  a  single  mine  without  en 
dangering  the  lives  of  their  own  men.  General  D. 
H.  Hill,  who  was  then  a  lieutenant,  and  in  the  pur 
suit  from  Chapultepec  to  the  gate  of  San  Cosme, 
relates  the  following  incident :  That  in  the  chase  he 
and  Lieutenant  Barnard  E.  Bee  were  overtaken  by 
Jackson  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.  Captain  Ma- 
gruder  soon  after  overtook  them  with  caissons  and 
men,  but  no  additional  guns.  Magruder  expressed 
a  fear  of  losing  the  two  guns,  as  the  division  of 
Worth  was  far  in  the  rear ;  but  he  yielded  to  the 
solicitations  of  the  young  men,  and  continued  the 
pursuit.  General  Amphidia  with  a  brigade  of  cav 
alry  threatened  a  charge.  The  guns  were  immedi 
ately  unlimbered  and  opened  a  rapid  fire  which 
speedily  dispersed  them.  In  reading  the  above  ac 
count  it  is  somewhat  amusing  to  think  of  these  three 
ambitious  young  subalterns,  each  in  quest  of  fame, 
seeking  all  the  glory  to  be  gleaned  on  that  field, 
jointly  imploring  a  hothead  like  Magruder  not  to 

1  On  the  authority  of  General  D.  H.  Hill. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    111 

hold  back  Jackson's  guns  from  the  pursuit.  From 
all  accounts  of  Magruder,  as  given  by  his  intimate 
personal  friends,  it  certainly  would  be  a  reckless, 
haphazard  venture  where  it  would  be  found  at  all 
necessary  to  importune  him  to  be  not  over-cautious. 
Of  the  three  young  lieutenants  named,  each  was 
brevetted  twice  for  gallantry  in  Mexico,  an  unusual 
distinction.  Jackson  and  Hill  afterwards  became 
brothers-in-law,  and  each  lived  to  attain  the  rank  of 
lieutenant-general  in  the  Confederate  army.  Of  the 
lamented  Bee,  who  fell  at  the  first  great  battle  of 
the  Civil  War  while  in  the  act  of  rallying  his 
brigade,  and  just  before  receiving  the  mortal 
wound,  he  conferred  upon  Jackson  the  sobriquet 
"  Stonewall,"  by  which  he  has  become  known  the 
world  over.  During  the  day  of  Chapultepec  Lieu 
tenant  Hill  remarked  to  Bee :  "  If  all  turns  out  well 
to-day,  the  old  state  will  remember  us."  The  pre 
diction  was  fulfilled  when  later,  by  a  resolution  of 
the  Legislature,  South  Carolina  presented  to  each, 
Hill  and  Bee,  for  their  conspicuous  gallantry  on  this 
occasion  beautiful  gold  mounted  swords  of  honor. 
Notwithstanding  the  brilliant  victory  of  Chapul 
tepec,  the  army  was  not  yet  safe.  Since  leaving 
Puebla  General  Scott  had  lost  nearly  3,000  officers 
and  men;  deducting  the  losses  and  the  unfit  for 
duty,  his  army  aggregated  only  some  7,000  effect 
ives.1 

The  greater  portion  of  the  Mexican  army  was  still 
with    Santa  Anna.     The   city  could   be   easily  de- 

1  Scott  reports  loss  of  862  at  Chapultepec. 


112  EAKLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

fended.  All  of  the  numerous  public  edifices, 
churches,  etc.,  were  of  that  massive  construction  so 
common  in  all  Spanish  American  countries.  The 
city,  containing  some  180,000  population,  was  en 
circled  with  walls,  and  beyond  the  walls,  ditches  and  a 
deep  canal.  A  defeat  to  the  American  army  would 
mean  ruin.  The  only  possible  hope  in  such  an  event 
would  be  to  cut  their  way  through  to  Puebla,  a  dis 
tance  of  eighty-five  miles.  The  defense  was  so  ob 
stinate  that  'the  pioneers  were  ordered  up,  and  a 
passage  forced  from  house  to  house  with  picks  and 
crowbars.  The  guns  battered  the  masonry  at  close 
range.  By  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  Americans 
had  succeeded  in  entering  both  the  San  Cosme  and 
the  Belen  gates.  The  Mexican  troops  retreated  dur 
ing  the  night,  and  the  white  flag  was  displayed  from 
the  citadel  at  dawn.  There  was  a  sharp  conflict  the 
morning  of  the  I4th  with  some  2,000  convicts  whom 
Santa  Anna  had  released  from  prison.  These  were 
suppressed  and  the  war  was  virtually  ended. 


VII 
MEXICO—  Continued  (1846-1848) 

THE  successful  invasion  of  Mexico  by  the 
small  army  of  Americans,  their  forcing  the 
capitulation  of  a  large  and  strongly  fortified 
capital  in  the  very  heart  of  the  country  and  compelling 
substantially  unconditional  terms  of  surrender,  is  some 
thing  little  short  of  marvellous  when  the  character  of 
civilization  and  the  population  of  that  country  are 
considered.  The  Americans  were  confronted  in 
every  battle  with  artillery  superior  in  both  number 
and  weight  of  metal,  and  with  equally  effective  small 
arms,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  primitive  re 
volver,1  with  cavalry  largely  in  excess  of  their  own, 
and,  as  is  well  known,  the  natives  of  that  country 
are  unexcelled  in  horsemanship.  Furthermore,  it  is 
admitted  without  question  that  the  Mexicans  were  a 
brave  and  courageous  people,  that  in  many  of  the 
battles  herein  described  they  fought  gallantly,  as  at 
Contreras,  Churubusco,  Molino  del  Rey,  Chapulte- 

1  General  D.  H.  Hill  in  a  conversation  stated  to  me  that  many  of  the 
Americans  carried  revolvers;  they  were  of  a  crude  pattern;  that  the 
Mexicans  were  not  at  all  familiar  with  this  arm  and  that  many  of  them 
exhibited  a  very  perceptible  dread  of  the  man  who  could  continue  firing 
without  having  to  stop  to  load ;  that  the  revolver  was  what  was  known  as 
the  pepper  box  pattern. — T.  J.  A. 

"3 


114  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

pec  and  at  the  gate  San  Cosme.  The  only  expla 
nation  would  seem  to  be  in  the  fact  that  they  were 
untrained  masses.  Their  leaders  were  undoubtedly 
inefficient.  They  were  outmanoeuvred  on  every 
occasion.  Not  one  battle  had  been  fought,  save  the 
siege  of  Vera  Cruz,  on  ground  of  their  own  choos 
ing,  in  the  manner  anticipated.  And  they  had  been 
taken  by  surprise  in  every  important  battle.  The 
most  casual  glance  at  what  had  taken  place  in  the 
campaign  will  impress  the  reader  with  the  fact  that 
young  Jackson  had  allowed  no  opportunity  to  dis 
tinguish  himself  to  pass  unheeded,  but  that  he  had 
availed  himself  of  each  opening  as  fortune  had  pre 
sented  it.  He  had  eagerly  sought  the  vacancy  in 
Magruder's  company  of  field  artillery.  When  the 
command  of  a  section  of  the  battery  unexpectedly 
devolved  upon  him  in  the  midst  of  the  battle  of  Con- 
treras,  he  almost  immediately,  without  waiting  for 
orders,  exercised  the  initiative  of  moving  his  guns 
farther  to  the  front,  within  more  effective  range  of 
the  enemy.  Then  later  he  had  welcomed  the  order 
assigning  him  to  the  independent  command  of  his 
section  at  Chapultepec.  Colonel  Henderson  in  re 
ferring  to  this  writes :  "  It  was  a  small  charge,  but 
he  had  utilized  it  to  the  utmost,  and  it  had  filled  the 
cup  of  his  ambition  to  the  brim.  Ambitious  he  cer 
tainly  was." l  Dr.  Dabney  says,  "  He  confessed  to  an 
intimate  friend  that  the  order  of  General  Pillow,  sep 
arating  his  section,  for  the  day,  from  his  captain,  had 
excited  his  abiding  gratitude  ;  so  that,  while  the  reg- 

1  Henderson's  "  Jackson." 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    115 

ular  officers  were  rather  inclined  to  depreciate  that 
general  as  an  unprofessional  soldier,  he  loved  him 
because  he  gave  him  an  opportunity  to  win  distinc 
tion."  His  friends  asked  him  if  he  felt  no  trepida 
tion  when  so  many  were  falling  around  him.  He 
replied,  no ;  the  only  anxiety  of  which  he  was  con 
scious  in  any  of  these  engagements  was  a  fear  lest 
he  should  not  meet  danger  enough  to  make  his  con 
duct  under  it  as  conspicuous  as  he  desired ;  and  as 
the  fire  grew  hotter,  he  rejoiced  in  it  as  his  coveted 
opportunity.  He  also  declared  to  those  who  were 
surmising  the  effect  of  the  dangers  of  battle  upon 
their  spirits  that  to  him  it  was  always  exalting,  and 
that  he  was  conscious  of  a  more  perfect  command 
of  all  his  faculties,  and  of  their  more  clear  and 
rapid  action  when  under  fire  than  at  any  other 
time.  Dr.  Dabney  then  says,  "This,  it  will  be  re 
membered,  was  a  distinguishing  feature  in  the  char 
acter  of  Napoleon's  celebrated  lieutenant,  Marshal 
Ney." 

As  to  the  recognition  which  Jackson's  conduct,  in 
the  preceding  battles,  had  attracted  from  his  superi 
ors,  it  is  only  necessary  to  quote  from  their  official 
reports.  The  Commander-in-Chief  says,  "  To  the 
north,  and  at  the  base  of  the  mound  (Chapultepec), 
inaccessible  on  that  side,  the  Eleventh  Infantry,  un 
der  Lieutenant-Colonel  Herbert,  and  the  fourteenth 
under  Colonel  Trousdale,  and  Captain  Magruder's 
field-battery,  First  Artillery  (one  section  advanced 
under  Lieutenant  Jackson),  all  of  Pillow's  division, 
had  at  the  same  time  some  spirited  affairs  against 


116  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

superior  numbers,  driving  the  enemy  from  a  battery 
in  the  road,  and  capturing  a  gun.  In  these  the 
officers  and  corps  named  gained  merited  praise. 
Having  turned  the  forest  on  the  west,  and  arriving 
opposite  to  the  north  centre  of  Chapultepec,  Worth 
came  up  with  the  troops  in  the  road  under  Colonel 
Trousdale,  and  aided  by  a  flank  movement  of  a  part 
of  Garland's  brigade  in  taking  the  one-gun  breast 
work,  then  under  fire  of  Lieutenant  Jackson's  sec 
tion  of  Magruder's  battery."  General  Pillow  says, 
"  Colonel  Trousdale's  command,  consisting  of  the 
Eleventh  and  Fourteenth  Regiments  of  Infantry,  and 
Magruder's  field-battery,  engaged  a  battery  and 
large  force  in  the  road,  immediately  on  the  west  of 
Chapultepec.  The  advanced  section  of  the  battery, 
under  command  of  the  brave  Lieutenant  Jackson, 
was  dreadfully  cut  up,  and  almost  disabled.  Though 
the  command  of  Colonel  Trousdale  sustained  a 
severe  loss,  still  he  drove  the  enemy  from  his  battery 
and  turned  his  guns  upon  his  retreating  forces. 
Captain  Magruder's  battery,  one  section  of  which 
was  served  with  great  gallantry  by  himself,  and  the 
other  by  his  brave  Lieutenant  Jackson,  in  the  face 
of  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy's  position}  did  in 
valuable  service  preparatory  to  the  general  assault." 
General  Worth,  though  commanding  a  different  di 
vision  of  troops,  says,  "  After  advancing  some  four 
hundred  yards,  we  came  to  a  battery  which  had 
been  assailed  by  a  portion  of  Magruder's  field  guns, 
particularly  the  section  under  the  gallant  Jackson, 
who,  although  he  had  lost  most  of  his  horses  and 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    117 

many  of  his  men,  continued  chivalrously  at  his  post, 
combating  with  noble  courage."  And  Magruder 
thus  compliments  and  recommends  him  for  promo 
tion  :  "  I  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the  major- 
general  commanding  the  division  to  the  conduct  of 
Lieutenant  Jackson  of  the  First  Artillery.  If  devo 
tion,  industry,  talent,  and  gallantry  are  the  highest 
qualities  of  a  soldier,  then  is  he  entitled  to  the  distinc 
tion  which  their  possession  confers.  I  have  been 
ably  seconded  in  all  the  operations  of  the  battery  by 
him ;  and  upon  this  occasion,1  when  circumstances 
placed  him  in  command  for  a  short  time  of  an  inde 
pendent  section,  he  proved  himself  eminently  worthy 
of  it."  It  is  significant  that  the  above  report  of 
Magruder  was  received  by  Captain  Joe  Hooker,  at 
the  time  acting  as  adjutant  to  General  Pillow,  after 
wards  a  major-general  in  the  Federal  army  and  com 
mander  at  Chancellorsville.  Dr.  Dabney  after  recit 
ing  that  for  his  conduct  at  Chapultepec  Jackson 
received  the  brevet  rank  of  major  of  artillery  says, 
"  To  this  he  had  risen,  purely  by  the  force  of  his 
merit,  within  seven  months,  from  the  insignificant 
position  of  brevet  second  lieutenant.  No  other 
officer  in  the  whole  army  in  Mexico  was  promoted 
so  often  for  meritorious  conduct,  or  made  so  great  a 
stride  in  rank.  If  the  conduct  which  has  been  de 
tailed  be  examined,  it  will  be  found  to  contain  every 
evidence  of  bravery,  thirst  for  distinction,  coolness, 
and  military  talent.  We  see  the  young  lieutenant, 
the  moment  the  fall  of  his  immediate  superior  placed 

1  Referring  to  Chapultepec. 


118  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

him  in  command  of  a  detachment  at  Churubusco 1 
(Contreras),  awaiting  no  orders,  but  guided  by  the 
sound  of  his  captain's  guns  on  his  left,  emulously 
pressing  forward  towards  the  enemy.  At  Chapul- 
tepec  he  is  assigned  to  the  post  of  honor  and  danger, 
and  advanced  with  alacrity.  When  Colonel  Trous- 
dale,  to  whom  he  owed  merely  a  momentary  sub 
ordination,  thrust  him  into  a  position  almost  desper 
ate,  and  he  was  well-nigh  deserted  by  his  men,  he 
refused  to  retire  without  orders.2  Comprehending 
all  the  advantages  and  perils  of  his  situation  at  once, 
he  proposed  rather  to  exercise  the  further  audacity 
of  storming  the  battery  before  him  than  to  attempt 
a  disastrous  retreat  exposed  to  its  fire.  And  when 
the  arrival  of  reinforcements  relieved  him  of  his 
danger,  he  displayed  his  ready  resource  in  pursuing 
the  defeated  foe,  where  any  other  officer  would  have 
felt  fully  justified  in  busying  himself  only  with  carry 
ing  the  shattered  remains  of  his  command  to  the 
rear."  And  from  the  same,  "Upon  being  asked, 
'  Major,  why  did  you  not  run  when  your  command 
was  thus  disabled  ? '  he  answered  with  a  quiet  smile, 
'  I  was  not  ordered  to  do  so.  If  I  had  been  ordered 
to  run,  I  should  have  done  so.  But  I  was  directed 
to  hold  my  position,  and  I  had  no  right  to  abandon 
it* "  Colonel  Henderson,  in  commenting  upon 
Jackson's  participation  in  the  campaign,  says,  "  His 
share  of  glory  was  more  than  ample.  Contreras 

1  Lieutenant  Johnstone  was  killed  at  Contreras. 

8  General  Worth  sent  him  orders  to  retire.     See  letter  of  date  October 
26,  1 847,  p.  130. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    119 

gave  him  the  brevet  rank  of  captain.  For  his  con 
duct  at  Chapultepec  he  was  mentioned  in  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief  s  dispatches,  and  publicly  compli 
mented  on  his  courage.'*  The  same  author  then 
relates  the  following  incident  which  came  to  him  in 
a  personal  letter  from  General  Gibbon  of  the  United 
States  Army :  "  Shortly  after  the  capture  of  the  city 
General  Scott  held  a  levee,  and  amongst  others 
presented  to  him  was  Lieutenant  Jackson.  When 
he  heard  the  name,  the  general  drew  himself  up  to 
his  full  height,  and,  placing  his  hands  behind  him, 
said  with  affected  sternness,  'I  don't  know  that  I 
shall  shake  hands  with  Mr.  Jackson.'  Jackson,  blush 
ing  like  a  girl,  was  overwhelmed  with  confusion. 
General  Scott,  seeing  that  he  had  called  the  attention 
of  every  one  in  the  room,  said,  '  If  you  can  forgive 
yourself  for  the  way  in  which  you  slaughtered  those 
poor  Mexicans  with  your  guns,  I  am  not  sure  that  I 
can,'  and  then  held  out  his  hand."  "  No  greater 
compliment,"  says  General  Gibbon,  "  could  have 
been  paid  a  young  officer,  and  Jackson  apparently 
did  not  know  he  had  done  anything  remarkable  till 
his  general  told  him  so."  It  may  be  here  stated  as 
indicating  the  innate  modesty  of  Jackson,  and  as 
truly  illustrative  of  the  man,  that  the  incident  above 
described  was  never  repeated  by  him  to  his  most 
intimate  relatives  and  friends,  so  far  as  is  known. 
Not  even  did  he  relate  this  to  his  sister.  The  pre 
sumption  is  that  it  was  not  mentioned  to  his  wife,  as 
there  is  no  allusion  to  it  in  her  "  Life  of  Jackson." 
Colonel  Henderson  further  says,  "  Such  promotion 


120  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

was  phenomenal  even  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  none 
of  his  West  Point  comrades  made  so  great  a  stride 
in  rank." 

The  siege  of  Vera  Cruz,  the  subsequent  battles, 
the  long  marches,  and  rough  roads  afforded  excep 
tional  training  to  a  young  officer  for  the  difficulties 
incident  to  war  :  Observation  of  men  under  fire  in 
battle  ;  knowing  one's  self  under  such  conditions,  the 
excitement,  the  long  and  seemingly  inexhaustible 
patience  necessary  when  on  the  march,  when  exposed 
to  fire,  often  without  opportunity  to  reply  ;  the  causes 
that  produce  panics  ;  the  panic  itself ;  the  control  that 
can  possibly  be  exercised  to  prevent  it ;  also,  to 
check  it,  how  to  deal  with  it  when  once  it  gains 
ascendency  over  troops  ;  the  different  effects  observ 
able  upon  the  recruit  and  the  regular ;  the  many 
points  arising  in  the  practical,  that  never  occur,  nor 
of  which  a  knowledge  can  be  had  in  the  theoretical 
school  of  war ;  to  know  and  measure  the  ability,  the 
energy,  the  prudence,  the  promptness,  and  dilatori- 
ness  of  action,  the  mental  attainments,  the  capabili 
ties  of  comrades ;  the  knowledge  of  what  may  be 
gained  by  availing  one's  self  of  every  opening  for  a 
wedge,  to  promptly  grasp  every  chance,  to  profit  at 
once  by  every  slight  mistake  of  an  adversary ;  the 
advantage  of  surprise ;  the  mode  of  successfully 
executing  a  manoeuvre  to  effect  such  a  result ;  the 
increased  gain  from  it  when  accomplished,  if  followed 
up  by  incessant  pressing  and  driving  the  adversary 
without  respite  or  rest,  with  the  strong  probability 
of  thereby  creating  a  panic  in  his  ranks  and  the 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    121 

not  allowing  him  time  in  which  to  repair  it.  These 
were  some  of  the  lessons  that  were  no  doubt  care 
fully  conned  and  as  carefully  stored  away  for  pos 
sible  future  use,  we  may  feel  assured,  by  one 
possessing  the  eager,  active  mind  of  young  Jackson, 
coupled  with  an  unquenchable  desire  or  ambition  to 
attain  still  further  knowledge  in  the  art  of  war.  To 
be  able  to  know  and  fully  realize  what  he  himself 
would  be  capable  of  accomplishing  under  like  condi 
tions  ;  to  discern  the  mistakes  of  others,  and  to 
formulate  opinion  as  to  how  they  could  have  been 
avoided  or  remedied  ;  all  this  made  for  profitable 
knowledge  for  the  student  of  arms. 

Young  Jackson  had  witnessed  the  winning  of  the 
strongly  fortified  intrenchments  of  Cerro  Gordo  by  a 
flank  march,  accompanied  by  an  insignificant  loss. 
He  had  witnessed  the  success  of  the  flank  march 
from  Ayotla  to  San  Augustin,  rendering  useless  the 
strongly  fortified  position  of  Santa  Anna  at  El 
Pefion  and  Mexicalcingo,  and  which  resulted  in  com 
pelling  the  enemy  to  abandon  his  intrenchments  and 
concentrate  his  force  at  San  Antonio  in  order  to 
protect  the  capital,  and  then  the  flank  march  across 
the  Pedregal,  then  the  battle  of  Contreras,  supple 
mented  by  the  flank  march  in  the  night,  the  complete 
surprise  and  unexpected  assault  on  the  wing  and 
rear,  and  the  capture  of  the  seemingly  impregnable 
works  in  a  few  minutes'  time,  resulting  in  the  utter 
discomfiture  and  rout  of  the  enemy.  One  can  hardly 
estimate  the  value  of  this  experience  following  im 
mediately  upon  four  full  years  of  instruction  and 


122  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

training    at   the   foremost    military   school    of    the 
world.1 

Jackson  was  ever  industrious.  He  could  not 
countenance  idleness.  It  is  but  fair  to  suppose  that 
throughout  the  whole  course  of  his  life  he  earnestly 
tried  to  make  the  most  of  every  opportunity.  He 
seemed  alive  to  every  opening.  What  Mexico  was 
worth  to  him  in  his  later  career  can  only  be  matter 
of  conjecture.  All  such  experience,  however,  is 
worth  but  little  to  him  who  has  not  the  ability  to 
apply  and  utilize  its  teachings.  He  had  known,  and 
probably  most  of  them  well,  almost  every  one  who 
later  attained  prominence  on  one  side  or  the  other 
in  the  Civil  War.  Aside  from  those  heretofore 
named,  Magruder,  Hooker,  McDowell  and  A.  P. 
Hill,  the  latter  a  classmate,  belonged  to  his  own 
regiment.  Then  there  were  those  of  Scott's  staff 
that  have  been  named.  Shields  commanded  a 
brigade  ;  Pope  was  a  staff  officer.  He  had  served 
alongside  of  Bee  and  D.  H.  Hill  in  the  onward  rush 
towards  the  city  gate  of  San  Cosme ;  Lieutenants 
Pickett,  Longstreet  and  Edward  Johnston  were  con 
spicuous  at  Chapultepec.  Huger,  Porter  and  Reno 
were  also  with  the  artillery.  Ewell  had  two  horses 
killed  under  him  at  Churubusco ;  and  Joseph  E. 
Johnston,  wounded  on  two  occasions,  made  a  most 
enviable  record  in  the  Dragoons.  Early,  another 

1  The  well-known  English  authority  on  matters  military,  Dr.  T.  Miller 
Maguire,  in  one  of  his  text-books,  viz.,  "  Jackson's  Campaigns  in  Virginia," 
at  page  55  refers  to  West  Point  Military  Academy  (of  about  the  period 
of  Jackson's  graduation)  as  the  best  army  school  in,  the  world, 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    123 

graduate  of  West  Point,  served  as  major  of  a  Vir 
ginia  regiment.  The  initiative  and  resourcefulness 
displayed  by  young  Jackson  on  each  occasion  when 
opportunity  presented,  as  at  the  first  day's  battle  at 
Contreras,  and  again  at  Chapultepec,  when  viewed 
in  retrospect,  would  seem  to  have  been  sufficient 
upon  which  to  forecast  the  possibilities  of  a  subse 
quent  brilliant  career  should  opportunity  offer,  as  it 
later  did  in  the  Civil  War. 


VIII 
MEXICO— Continued  (1846-1848) 

FOLLOWING  the  occupation  of  the  city  of 
Mexico  General  Smith  was  designated  as 
military  governor  thereof.  Jackson  resumed 
his  duties  as  first  lieutenant  with  his  old  company 
under  Captain  Taylor,  and  which  formed  a  part  of 
General  Smith's  brigade.  They  were  domiciled  in 
the  city  as  the  garrison ;  Jackson  with  others  was 
assigned  quarters  in  the  National  Palace.  It  was 
claimed  that  many  Mexicans  regarded  with  favor 
the  American  rule.  The  downfall  of  Spanish  author 
ity  administered  under  a  viceroy  had  been  succeeded 
by  frequent  revolutions  and  governmental  changes, 
following  the  accession  of  each  new  party  to  power 
— a  most  unstable  government  for  the  law-abiding 
element  of  citizens.  Under  such  conditions  it  was 
but  natural  that  there  should  soon  be  established 
friendly  and  cordial  relations  between  many  of  the 
more  prominent  Mexican  families  and  the  officers  of 
the  American  army.  The  places  of  amusement  were 
thrown  open,  and  Mexicans  and  Americans  inter 
mingled.  Dr.  Dabney  says:  "To  qualify  himself 
for  enjoying  this  society  more  freely,  Jackson,  with 
a  young  comrade,  addressed  himself  to  the  study  of 

124 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    125 

the  Spanish  language."  l  His  active  mind  was,  be 
sides,  incapable  of  absolute  repose,  and  he  wished  to 
improve  his  leisure  by  acquiring  knowledge.  He  was 
ignorant  of  Latin,  which  is  not  taught  at  West  Point, 
and  the  only  grammar  of  Spanish  he  could  find  was 
written  in  that  ancient  tongue.  Yet  he  bought  it, 
and  nothing  daunted,  set  himself  to  learn  the  para 
digms  of  the  language  from  it ;  and  by  the  help  of 
reading  and  constant  conversation  with  the  people, 
became  in  a  few  months  a  good  Spanish  scholar.2 
"  He  ever  took  pleasure  in  testifying  to  the  cultiva 
tion,  hospitality  and  flowing  courtesy  of  the  Spanish 
gentry  in  Mexico,  and,  like  Napier,  among  their 
kindred  in  their  mother  country,  acknowledged  the 
fascination  of  their  accomplished  manners,  and  their 
noble  and  sonorous  tongue,  and  the  indescribable 
grace  and  beauty  of  their  women."  That  he  enjoyed 
greatly  the  society  to  which  he  was  admitted  in  the 
city  may  be  readily  inferred  from  his  letters.  That 
there  was  no  probability  of  its  leading  to  a  serious 
turn  is  equally  certain,  and  he  so  writes  his  sister, 
"  I  have  no  tie  in  this  country  equal  to  you," — al 
though  at  one  time  he  had  a  strong  inclination  to 
remain  in  Mexico.  Whether  he  saw  a  prospect  of 
business  opportunities,  or  a  political  opening  in  a 
much  distracted  and  unsettled  country  is  mere  con 
jecture. 

In  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  language  of  the 

1  Lieutenant  Jackson  had  previously  been  studying  the  language.     See 
letter  from  Jalapa  of  May  25,  1847,  P-  92- 

2  See  in  this  connection  letter  of  March  23,  1848,  p.  136. 


126  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

country  the  subject  of  this  sketch  without  doubt  was 
the  recipient  of  much  valuable  aid  from  his  fair  Se- 
fiorita  friends ;  and  such  help  would  be  likely  to  add 
interest  to  the  lessons,  making  of  them  very  pleas 
ant  tasks.  And  with  the  musical  intonation  in  its 
pronunciation  as  given  by  these  charming  instruct 
ors,  the  Spanish  language  would  become  a  delight 
ful  study — far  more  so  than  it  seemed  to  the  writer 
some  years  later  with  Major  Jackson  as  his  in 
structor.  Colonel  Henderson  says,  "  Jackson  learned 
to  dance,"  and  referring  to  his  acquisition  of  Spanish, 
remarks,  "  And  it  is  significant  that  to  the  end  of  his 
life  he  retained  a  copious  vocabulary  of  those  tender 
diminutives  which  fall  so  gracefully  from  Spanish 
lips."  "  Having  formed  the  acquaintance  of  some  ed 
ucated  ecclesiastics  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  he  went 
by  their  invitation  to  reside  with  them.  He  found 
their  bachelor  abode  the  perfection  of  luxurious  com 
fort.  Upon  awaking  in  the  morning,  the  servants 
brought  him,  before  he  arose  from  bed,  a  light  re 
past,  consisting  of  a  few  diminutive  spiced  cakes, 
and  a  single  cup  of  that  delicious  chocolate  which  is 
found  only  in  Spanish  houses.  He  then  dressed, 
went  out,  and  attended  to  the  drill  of  his  company. 
Later  in  the  morning,  when  the  sun  began  to  dis 
play  his  power,  he  returned  to  a  breakfast  of  coffee, 
fruits  and  game.  The  greater  part  of  the  day  was 
then  spent  in  study  or  visiting ;  and  it  closed  with  a 
dinner  in  which  Parisian  art  vied  with  the  tropical 
fruits  native  to  the  climate  in  conferring  enjoyment." 
But  during  his  stay  in  Mexico,  amid  all  this  pleas- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON     127 

ure  Jackson's  serious  nature  was  also  at  work.  Dr. 
Dabney  says,  "  All  the  information  which  can  now  be 
gathered  points  to  the  devout  Colonel  Frank  Taylor,1 
commanding  his  regiment  of  artillery,  as  his  first  of 
ficial  spiritual  guide.  This  good  man  was  accustomed 
to  labor  as  a  father  for  the  religious  welfare  of  his 
young  officers,  and  Jackson's  manly  nature  seems 
to  have  awakened  his  especial  interest.  During  the 
campaign  of  the  summer  his  instruction  and  prayers 
had  produced  so  much  effect  as  to  awaken  an  abid 
ing  anxiety  and  spirit  of  inquiry  in  Jackson's  mind." 
"  It  seems  to  have  been  almost  a  law  of  his  na 
ture  .  .  .  to  be  convinced  in  his  understanding 
of  a  duty  was  to  set  straightway  about  its  perform 
ance.  He  resolved  to  make  the  Bible  his  study,  and 
with  a  characteristic  independence  of  mind,  to  take 
nothing  as  to  his  own  religious  duties,  from  prej 
udice,  or  from  the  claims  of  the  various  denomina 
tions  into  which  he  saw  the  religious  world  divided. 
His  attitude  towards  all  creeds  and  sects  was  at  this 
time  singularly  unbiased.  His  later  education  was 
obtained  among  a  great  company  of  young  men,  as 
sembled  from  every  church,  under  the  slender  in 
structions  of  an  army  chaplain.  His  own  religious 
knowledge  was  extremely  scanty.  He  resolved  to 
examine  for  himself  and  decide  conscientiously. 
Through  his  monastic  friends  he  was  introduced  to 
the  Archbishop  of  Mexico,  with  whom  he  had  a 
number  of  interviews.  Jackson  found  him  affable, 

1  Colonel   Francis   Taylor  of  Virginia,  a  graduate  of  the  United  States 
Military  Academy  of  the  class  of  1821. 


128  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

able  and  learned,  and  was  deeply  impressed  with  his 
sincerity  and  honesty  ;  and  he  further  asserted  that 
the  doctrines  of  the  Church  of  Rome  as  expounded 
by  intelligent  Catholics  were  by  no  means  gross  or 
obnoxious  to  common  sense  as  is  represented  by 
many  Protestants.  In  this  matter  Jackson  moved 
with  slowness  and  caution.  He  was  conscientious  and 
careful  about  the  purity  of  his  life.  He  evidently 
continued  his  researches,  and  had  no  settled  convic 
tion  as  to  what  branch  of  the  church  he  should  choose." 
On  March  5,  1848,  an  armistice  for  two  months 
was  concluded  between  General  Scott  and  the  Mexi 
can  authorities,  and  on  the  26th  of  May  following  a 
treaty  of  peace  was  finally  ratified  ;  and  on  the  i2th 
of  the  ensuing  June,  the  last  of  the  United  States 
forces  vacated  the  capital.  Young  Jackson's  corre 
spondence  from  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  the  city  of 
Mexico  will  now  be  resumed.  In  his  first  letter  fol 
lowing  he  fully  acknowledges  the  protecting  care  of 
the  Almighty  One  over  him  in  the  recent  battles 
through  which  he  had  passed. 


City  of  Mexico,  October  26  f 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

On  a  blank  commission  captured  in  the  National 
Palace  of  Mexico,  I  again  am  favored  with  the  agreeable 
duty  of  saying  that  yourself,  husband  and  family  still  live 
in  my  memory  and  heart.  I  have  since  my  entry  into 
this  land  seen  sights  that  would  melt  the  heart  of  the 
most  inhuman  of  beings  :  my  friends  dying  around  me 
and  my  brave  soldiers  breathing  their  last  on  the  bloody 
fields  of  battle,  deprived  of  every  human  comfort,  and 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    129 

even  now  I  can  hardly  open  my  eyes  after  entering  a 
hospital,  the  atmosphere  of  which  is  generally  so  vitiated 
as  to  make  the  healthy  sick.  I  would  not  live  in  one  a 
week,  under  the  circumstances  in  which  I  have  seen 
them,  for  the  whole  of  Mexico.  To  die  on  the  battle 
field  is  relief  when  compared  to  the  death  in  a  contami 
nated  hospital.  There  are  no  important  changes  here. 
A  train  is  going  to  Vera  Cruz  in  a  few  days.  I  am  try 
ing  to  make  myself  contented  as  I  see  but  feeble  pros 
pects  for  peace.  I  have  bought  a  fine  horse  for  one 
hundred  and  eighty  dollars.  As  I  believe  that  this 
country  is  destined  to  be  reformed  by  ours,  I  think  that 
probably  I  shall  spend  many  years  here  and  may  possibly 
conclude  (though  I  have  not  yet)  to  make  my  life  more 
natural  by  sharing  it  with  some  amiable  Senorita.  I  am 
only  induced  in  this  event  from  not  inviting  you  to  live 
with  me  by  the  fact  of  your  having  one  of  the  best  of 
husbands.  This  country  offers  more  inducements  for  me 
than  the  United  States,  inasmuch  as  there  is  more  room 
for  improvement  in  everything  that  is  good  and  com 
mendable.  The  term  corruption  expresses  the  state  of 
this  unfortunate  people  better  than  any  other  in  the 
English  language.  They  have  one  of  the  best  of  climates 
and  countries.  ...  To  you  I  have  written  letter 
after  letter,  but  no  answer  comes  to  tell  me  that  yourself, 
husband,  Thomas  and  all  are  well.  Your  last  was  dated, 
I  think,  in  March.  Seven  long  months  have  elapsed.  I 
wish  to  know  many  things  which  are  at  your  command, 
among  which,  .  .  .  the  given  name  of  Uncle  Rich 
ard  Neale's  eldest  daughter,  and  Wirt's  address,  as  I  wish 
to  write  to  both.  As  I  was  coming  from  Jalapa  I  was 
detached  with  a  few  men  in  the  vicinity  of  LaHoya  and 
succeeded  in  killing  four  of  the  enemy  and  taking  three 


130  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

prisoners,  together  with  a  beautiful  sabre  and  some  other 
equipment.  I  have  been  exposed  to  many  dangers  in 
the  battles  of  this  valley  but  have  escaped  unhurt.  I  was 
once  reported  killed  and  nothing  but  the  strong  and 
powerful  hand  of  Almighty  God  could  have  brought  me 
through  unhurt.  Imagine,  for  instance,  my  situation  at 
Chapultepec,  within  full  range,  and  in  a  road  which  was 
swept  with  grape  and  canister,  and  at  the  same  time 
thousands  of  muskets  from  the  Castle  itself  above  pour 
ing  down  like  hail  upon  you.  General  Pillow  has  spoken 
in  high  terms  of  me,  and  General  Worth  has  even  gone 
out  of  his  own  division  in  his  report  in  order  to  pay  me 
a  compliment.  During  the  battle  General  Worth  or 
dered  me  to  retire,  but  I  sent  him  back  word  that,  with 
one  company  of  regulars  as  a  support,  I  could  carry  the 
work,  upon  which  he  moved  forward  a  whole  brigade.  I 
feel  proud  of  the  source  from  which  such  praise  comes. 
I  had  written  you  a  long  letter,  but  I  have  concluded  not 
to  send  it.  Give  to  all  friends  and  relatives  the  love  of 
your  affectionate  brother. 

THOMAS. 
Mrs.  L.  A.  Arnold  and  family. 

The  next  letter  also  discloses  Jackson's  earnest  and 
devout  religious  tendency.  His  sister  had  been  very 
ill  and  he  had  been  evidently  much  concerned  as  to 

her  condition. 

City  of  Mexico,  February  28,  184.8. 
DEAREST  SISTER  : 

The  mail  came  on  the  26th,  and  in  vain  I  searched 
the  post-office  thrice  for  a  line  from  you,  and  conse 
quently  sorrowfully  I  commenced  my  letter  to  you  ;  but 
on  leaving  my  desk  for  a  few  hours  on  business,  was 
agreeably  surprised,  on  my  return,  to  find  your  lettef 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    131 

mysteriously  placed  on  my  table.  And  now  while  I 
recommence,  with  joy  inexpressible  for  tongue  or  pen  at 
hearing  of  your  life  still  being  prolonged,  I  also  am  most 
deeply  affected  with  heartfelt  sorrow  at  the  words  which 
say,  "  I  may  not  live  to  receive  your  answer,"  but  I  hope 
that  these  words  imply  nothing  beyond  what  they  liter 
ally  state.  This  is  the  earnest  prayer  to  God  of  your 
brother.  But  if  He  in  His  great  wisdom  has  afflicted 
you  with  disease  incurable,  then  may  He  in  His  infinite 
goodness  receive  you  into  His  heavenly  abode  where, 
though  I  should  be  deprived  of  you  here  in  this  world  of 
cares,  yet  I  should  hope  to  meet  with  you  in  a  land  where 
care  and  sorrow  are  unknown ;  there  with  a  mother,  a 
brother,  a  sister  and  yourself,  and,  I  hope,  a  father,  to 
live  in  a  state  of  felicity,  uncontaminated  by  mortality. 
Let  not  this  letter  trouble  you,  dearest  sister,  for  I  could 
not  write  one  of  a  different  cast  with  a  clear  conscience 
when  you  speak  to  me  so  ominously.  But  do  not  be 
deterred  by  any  cause  from  saying  to  me  plainly,  "  that 
I  am  sick,"  or  "  that  I  am  well."  You  appear  to  think 
hard  of  my  not  writing  more  frequently,  but  I  have  not 
only  written  by  every  mail  but  on  one  occasion  sent  by 
a  Spanish  friend.  In  fine,  I  have  embraced  every  oppor 
tunity  to  write  you.  For  the  future,  the  intention  is  to 
send  the  mail  by  escorts  twice  a  month  on  the  1st  and 
1 5th,  so  that  you  may  expect  to  hear  from  me  by 
every  mail  until  I  am  ordered  from  this  city,  which  may 
or  may  not  be  at  all,  as  I  am  in  General  Smith's  brigade, 
and  he  is  governor  of  the  city.  I  am  first  lieutenant  and 
belong  to  Captain  Taylor's  battery.1  I  hope  the  war 

1  Had  been  transferred  back  from  Magruder's  battery,  or  what  is  more 
likely  Magruder's  independent  battery,  had  been  discontinued  and  he  also 
resumed  his  place  in  the  first  regiment. 


132  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

may  soon  terminate,  but  do  not  entertain  much  hope, 
although  the  terms  of  a  treaty  have  been  sent  to  Wash 
ington.  At  present  an  armistice  is  being  made  or  has 
been  concluded,  but  as  yet  is  not  public.  Santa  Anna 
has  asked  of  his  government  a  passport  for  the  purpose 
of  leaving  the  country,  and  it  was  granted  to  him  on  the 
1 3th  instant ;  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  he  will  go,  as 
several  of  the  states  have  expressed  themselves  favorably 
to  him.  And  Guanojuato  has  offered  him  an  asylum. 
If  we  both  live  I  expect  to  see  you.  Do  not  allow  my 
words  about  marrying  in  Mexico  to  disturb  you.  I  have 
sometimes  thought  of  staying  here,  and  again  of  going 
home.  I  have  no  tie  in  this  country  equal  to  you.  You 
speak  of  my  fine  horse  as  being  in  your  opinion  rather 
extravagant,  but  if  an  officer  wishes  to  appear  best,  he 
should  appear  well  in  everything.  I  bought  the  horse, 
having  plenty  of  money  and  need  of  him,  and  have  since 
been  offered  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  him  ;  that 
is  one  hundred  and  seventy  more  than  I  gave,  and  can 
at  any  time  get  more  than  I  gave.  My  pay  while  with 
Captain  Magruder  was  one  hundred  and  four  dollars  per 
month,  and  I  expect  it  will  soon  be  the  same  here :  but 
at  present  it  is  only  about  ninety ;  yet  I  have  plenty  of 
money,  and  am  in  the  long  run  economical,  although  it 
would  not  appear  so  to  you,  as  here  everything  is  dear 
and  with  you  cheap.  I  dress  as  a  gentleman  should  who 
wishes  to  be  received  as  such.  I  do  not  gamble,  nor 
spend  my  money,  as  I  think,  foolishly.  I  am  very  de 
sirous  of  peace,  as  it  may  be  better  for  the  United  States, 
and  it  may  give  me  an  opportunity  of  again  entering 
your  hospitable  house  and  having  that  sight  most  de 
lightful  of  all  earthly  ones,  that  is,  of  my  sister.  My 
health,  I  think,  is  improving  in  this  country,  and  at  all 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    133 

events  my  knowledge  of  Spanish  is.     ...     Remem 
ber  me  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  friends  in  the  warmest  terms. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

The  next  letter  is  to  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Jon 
athan  Arnold. 

City  of  Mexico,  March  21,  184.8. 
DEAR  SIR: 

Though  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  your  com 
pany  for  nearly  two  years,  yet  that  which  I  then  enjoyed 
still  continues  in  memory  and  I  have  hopes  of  again  pre 
senting  myself  at  your  hospitable  door.  After  parting 
from  you  and  enduring  a  long  and  tedious  march,  I 
reached  what  has  been  termed  the  republic  of  Mexico, 
but  which  I  fear  it  will  never  be  again.  Would  to  God 
it  could  be  such  a  republic  as  ours.  Then  would  this 
unhappy  people  be  the  most  favored  of  all  others.  Their 
country  possesses  nearly  every  diversity  of  climate,  soil 
and  production.  From  the  burning  temperature  of  Vera 
Cruz  you  can  pass  to  the  snow-capped  summit  of  Orizaba 
without  transcending  one  hundred  miles,  and  within  this 
limit  you  have  every  climate  desirable  for  man,  and  soil 
of  nearly  every  grade,  producing  fruits  of  the  most  deli 
cious  character  for  the  daily  market.  Its  intermediate 
inhabitants,  as  those  of  Jalapa,  do  not  know  the  distinc 
tion  of  seasons,  except  nominally.  Among  its  produc 
tions,  in  addition  to  those  common  to  our  happy  country, 
may  be  mentioned  coffee,  cinnamon,  pepper,  pineapple 
and  almost  any  other  except  tea,  which,  as  in  our  country, 
has  to  be  obtained  from  China.  After  passing  Jalapa, 
which  is  only  about  four  or  five  thousand  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  sea,  you  continue  to  ascend  to  Las  Vegasr 


134:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

which  is  about  eight  thousand  feet  altitude.  From  this 
point  the  road  descends  to  Perote,  which  is  warmer  than 
Las  Vegas  but  is  still  too  cold  to  be  comfortable,  and  so 
high  that  comparatively  little  rain  reaches  it,  when  com 
pared  to  other  points.  I  remember  that  whilst  on  my 
way  to  this  place  I  saw  the  clouds  below  me  and  the 
rain  descending  from  them,  and  above  them  all  clear  and 
calm.  Perote  is  about  midway  between  Vera  Cruz  and 
the  city  of  Mexico.  It  is  but  a  small  town,  but  is  pro 
tected  by  a  strong  and  magnificent  fortification  of  the 
same  name  constructed  during  the  Spanish  reign  and 
which  could  only  be  taken,  if  well  manned,  by  regular 
approaches.  The  next  place  of  importance  on  the  na 
tional  road  is  Puebla,  which  is,  from  its  manufacturing 
character,  the  Lowell  of  Mexico,  but  to  an  American 
the  place  is  extremely  uninteresting ;  but  sixty  odd  miles 
further  west  is  situated  the  ancient  city  of  the  Aztecs 
which  contains  people  of  most  every  clime.  In  it  is  to 
be  found  mirth,  beauty,  fine  manners,  variety  and  in  fine 
all  that  man  can  reasonably  want.  .  .  .  With  care 
this  city  is  very  healthy,  but  attention  to  the  health  must 
be  paid  as  the  air  is  so  very  rarified  that  it  appears  to 
penetrate  the  pores  in  a  moment,  and  a  cold  may  be  the 
consequence  and  a  speedy  death  the  final  result.  A  cold 
in  this  climate  is  very  different  from  what  it  is  in  ours. 
Here  it  can  by  care  generally  be  cured  in  thirty-six 
hours.  Consumption  is  almost  unknown,  and  in  its  rare 
cases  it  generally  takes  a  chronic  form.  I  have  not  seen, 
to  my  recollection,  a  single  case  since  my  entrance  in  the 
city ;  and  Dr.  Martinez,  a  Spanish  physician  of  note,  who 
has  been  educated  in  England  and  Paris,  has  told  me 
that  this  fact  is  not  generally  known,  but  a  few  months 
since  he  communicated  it  to  the  Parisian  Medical  Insti- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    135 

tute.  So  that  after  tranquillity  shall  have  been  established 
here,  I  think  that  invalids,  instead  of  visiting  Cuba,  will 
select  Mexico.  The  peace  is  now  viewed  by  many  as 
very  improbable,  as  it  is  thought  the  article  in  reference 
to  the  Texan  lands  will  not  be  admitted  by  the  United 
States,  and  that  the  owners  of  those  lands  will  have  con 
siderable  influence  with  the  treaty  making  power  of  this 
country.  Remember  me  to  my  sister  in  the  warmest 
terms.  Tell  Thomas  that  his  uncle  wants  to  see  him 
very  much,  and  that  when  he  comes  to  see  him  he  will 
bring  him  a  pretty  present,  provided  that  he  should  be  a 
good  boy.  Remember  me  to  all  of  my  friends  and  do 
me  the  favor  to  write  frequently  and  be  assured  of  the 
best  wishes  of  a  brother. 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Then  two  days  later  to  his  sister : 

City  of  Mexico,  March  23, 184.8. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  written  a  letter  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  re 
quested  to  be  remembered  to  you  in  it,  but  since  finish 
ing  it  I  have  concluded  to  send  you  one  also.  I  received 
your  letter  of  January  1 4th,  but  the  paper  from  Mr. 
Arnold  did  not  come  to  hand ;  but  still  I  am  as  much 
obliged  to  him  as  though  it  had,  and  trust  that  he  will 
send  others  as  they  may  have  better  success.  I  thought 
at  one  time  of  writing  a  journal,  but  I  cannot  find  the 
time,  as  although  I  am  usually  up  at  six  o'clock  and  retire 
to  bed  at  ten  and  eleven,  still  the  day  is  not  long  enough. 
The  morning  hours  I  occupy  in  studies  and  business,  and 
the  evening  in  a  similar  manner,  but  generally  taking  a 
walk  after  dinner,  and  sometimes  a  ride  on  the  Paseo  or 
elsewhere  in  the  evening.  The  Paseo  is  a  wide  road  on 


136  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

the  southwest  of  the  city  and  about  half  a  mile  in  length, 
with  a  beautiful  fountain  in  the  centre,  and  is  a  place  of 
fashionable  resort.  Families  of  wealth  appear  there  in 
their  carriages  at  sunset,  partly  if  not  entirely  for  show. 
There  is  also  a  place  of  morning  resort  between  the  city 
and  the  Paseo  called  the  Almeda,  which  is  a  beautiful 
grove  of  about  four  hundred  by  six  hundred  yards  and 
containing,  I  think,  eight  fountains.  The  central  one  is 
to  commemorate  the  anniversary  of  Mexican  independ 
ence,  and  from  this,  which  is  the  largest,  beautiful  walks 
diverge  to  the  different  outlets,  the  grove  being  sur 
rounded  by  a  wall.  I  purpose  on  riding  to  both  these 
places  this  evening  hoping  to  see  something  there  more 
attractive  than  at  home.  When  not  on  duty  I  generally 
pay  a  visit  after  supper  or  tea.  Among  those  families 
which  I  visit  are  some  of  the  first  in  the  republic,  as  Don 
Lucas  Alleman,  Martinez  del  Rio,  and  I  also  have  the 
acquaintance  of  others  of  some  distinction.  .  .  .  The 
book  which  I  am  now  studying  is  Lord  Chesterfield's 
letters  to  his  son  translated  into  Spanish ;  so  that  whilst 
I  am  obtaining  his  thoughts,  I  am  also  acquiring  a 
knowledge  of  the  Spanish  tongue.  I  have  also  purchased 
the  work  in  English.  I  then  purpose  on  reading  it  in 
English.  Subsequent  to  this  I  shall  study  Shakespeare's 
works,  which  I  purchased  a  few  days  since ;  and  then  if 
I  can  obtain  good  histories,  I  wish  to  devote  some  time 
to  them.  If  Uncle  Cummins  and  Uncle  Edward  l  should 
leave  Lewis  (County)  I  wish  you  would  get  Uncle  Edward 
to  box  up  my  books  which  are  in  his  possession  and  send 
them  to  you.  I  hope  that  you  will  try  and  write  me  a 
letter  once  a  week.  I  should  write  more  frequently  to 
you  if  an  opportunity  offered  of  sending  letters  more 

i  Cummins  E.  and  Edward  Jackson. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    137 

than  twice  a  month.  Owing  to  my  knowledge  of  the 
language  of  the  country,  and  the  acquaintances  which  I 
have  made,  I  think  that  I  pass  my  time  more  agreeably 
than  the  greater  portion  of  the  officers  of  the  army ;  but 
if  your  company  could  also  be  had,  I  would  spend  my 
hours  still  more  agreeably.  My  love  to  all  inquiring 
friends.  My  health  is  as  good,  if  not  better,  than  usual. 
General  Scott's  case  has  been  investigated.  The  charges 
against  Colonel  Duncan  were  withdrawn.  Also  General 
Worth  withdrew  his  against  General  Scott.  General  Pil 
low's  case  is  now  being  investigated. 


National  Palace,  Mexico,  April  /o,  184.8. 
{Postmarked  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico,  April  1 2th.) 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

As  three  successive  mails  have  arrived  without 
bringing  a  single  letter  from  you,  I  am,  and  I  think  not 
without  reason,  uneasy  about  your  health,  as  I  do  not 
know  of  any  other  reason  but  bad  health  which  could 
have  prevented  your  writing  to  a  brother,  who  is  inter 
ested  in  everything  that  interests  you.  And  I  hope  if 
you  have  any  regard  for  my  peace  of  mind  that  you  will 
write  at  least  once  every  fortnight.  If  your  health  for 
bids  your  writing  at  any  time,  then  get  some  one  to  write 
for  you,  if  it  should  be  but  a  dozen  lines.  I  do  not  think 
that  a  regular  mail  has  left  this  city  without  carrying  a 
letter  for  you  from  me.  The  treaty  has  arrived  from 
Washington  with  its  amendments.  Many  think  that  it 
will  receive  the  ratification  of  this  government,  but  some 
think  that  it  will  not.  For  my  own  part  I  hope  it  will. 
Mr.  Sevier,  I  presume,  will  be  here  in  a  few  days.  At 
last  dates  from  Queretaro  there  were  wanting  fifteen 
Congressmen  and  three  Senators  to  complete  the  quorum. 


138  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

We  have  received  news  here  of  a  battle  at  Chihuahua  in 
which  we  took  fourteen  pieces  of  artillery  from  the  enemy. 
I  am  at  present  studying  Humboldt's  "  History  of  Mex 
ico  "  in  Spanish.  The  rain  is  quite  abundant  here  at 
present,  and  interferes  somewhat  with  my  evening  visits. 
It  is  believed  that  our  presence  here  is  destroying  the  ex 
treme  superstition  of  the  country.  But  notwithstanding 
the  influence  of  our  presence,  the  natives  still,  with  un 
covered  heads,  drop  on  their  knees  at  the  approach  of  the 
Archbishop's  carriage,  which  is  recognized  by  its  being 
drawn  by  two  spotted  mules.  General  Pillow's  trial  is 
not  yet  finished,  and  the  general  opinion  is  that  it  will  be 
terminated  in  the  United  States.  We  are  told  here  that 
our  people  at  home  think  that  the  army  does  not  wish  to 
return  from  Mexico ;  but  if  such  is  the  truth,  they  are 
much  mistaken.  An  expedition  started  a  few  days  since 
for  Popocatepetl,  which  is  a  volcanic  mountain  to  the 
southeast  of,  and  in  full  view  of,  this  city,  and  from  which 
still  issue  clouds  of  smoke  at  times.  I  should  probably 
have  gone  myself,  but  as  the  temperature  is  so  extremely 
low,  resulting  from  the  crest  being  capped  with  snow,  I 
feared  that  my  health  might  suffer.1  In  conformity  with 
the  armistice,  the  Mexicans  have  taken  possession  of 
their  archives,  and  have  resumed  the  civil  administration 
of  their  government.  Santa  Anna,  at  last  news,  was  at 
his  hacienda  near  Jalapa,  "  Encerro,"  again  bidding  adieu 
to  his  country.  Whilst  at  his  hacienda,  he  received  the 
visits  of  Colonel  Hews,  and  several  other  American  of 
ficers.  General  Valencia2  died  a  few  days  since  in  this 

1  Seventeen  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-two  feet  altitude. 
Some  time  prior  to  this  young  Jackson  had  made  the  ascent  of  Orizaba, 
which  although  not  of  so  great  altitude  yet  the  rarified  air  had  caused 
bleeding  from  his  ears  and  nostrils. 

1  Commanded  the  Mexicans  at  Contreras. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    139 

city,  the  news  of  which  proved  fatal  to  his  daughter,  who 
died  a  few  hours  subsequent  to  its  reception.  I  have 
heard  of  no  others  who  mourn  his  fate.  The  general 
hospital  is  ordered  to  be  moved  to  Jalapa ;  and  General  Pat 
terson,  I  believe,  will  go  down,  at  the  same  time,  to  take 
command  of  that  station.  This  movement  appears  to  in 
dicate  an  anticipation  of  leaving  the  country.  Remem 
ber  me  to  Mr.  Arnold,  Thomas  and  other  friends. 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 


IX 

GOVERNOR'S  ISLAND  (1848) 

THE  period  of  Major  Jackson's  stay  in  the 
city  of  Mexico,  and  the  many  courtesies  ex 
tended  to  him  while  there  by  its  attractive 
and  hospitable  people,  marked  a  bright  page  in  his 
memory.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  there  is  no  more 
data  extant  bearing  on  the  charming  life  that  he  led 
there.  It  was  ever  afterwards  a  pleasant  subject  of 
conversation  with  him.  There  is  nothing  of  his  cor 
respondence  preserved  to  indicate  the  exact  date  of 
his  departure  from  that  city  and  leave-taking  from 
these  friends,  nor  incidents  of  his  march  from  there 
to  the  coast  and  final  embarkation.  All  that  is  known 
is  that  the  voyage  was  made  from  Vera  Cruz  to  New 
Orleans  ;  that  there  was  a  pleasant  stop  over  of  sev 
eral  days  in  that  city ;  and  that  from  there  he  pro 
ceeded  to  New  York.  The  next  letter  in  the  collec 
tion  bears  the  postmark  of  the  latter  city,  and  was 
written  from  Governor's  Island.  It  is  dated  : 

August  26,  1848. 
DEAR  SISTER: 

Finally  I  have  arrived  at  this  station  which  is  in  sight 
of  the  city  of  New  York.  I  have  had  some  hopes  of  vis 
iting  you  this  fall,  but  I  have  not  been  able  to  arrange 

140 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    Ul 

my  affairs  here  for  that  purpose,  and  consequently  I  can 
not  say  when  I  will  be  able  to  visit  those  of  whom  I  so 
frequently  think,  and  so  much  desire  to  be  with.  I  pre 
sume  that  I  could  get  home  this  winter  by  making  sacri 
fices  which  I  ought  not  to  make.  For  instance,  if  I  should 
leave,  some  other  officer  might  be  attached  during  my 
absence  who  would  rank  me  in  case  of  his  remaining  with 
the  company  after  my  return.  I  do  not  believe  that 
Captain  Taylor  would  give  his  sanction  to  any  officer's 
coming  to  the  company  who  would  rank  me  so  long  as 
I  remain  with  the  company,  or  so  long  as  there  are  officers 
enough  with  it ;  but  my  absence  might  reduce  the  number 
of  officers  so  much  as  to  render  another  officer  necessary 
to  the  company.  But  I  am  in  hopes  that  next  summer 
I  shall  be  able  to  see  you ;  and  if  so,  I  purpose  on  visit 
ing  the  Springs  at  several  places,  and  visiting  those  parts 
of  Virginia  most  remarkable,  such  as  the  Natural  Bridge. 
You  will  please  let  me  know  the  distance  from  Beverley 
to  Staunton,  and  the  time  in  which  the  stage  makes  the 
run,  and  also  the  distance  from  Beverley  to  the  White 
Sulphur  Springs.  As  yet  I  do  not  know  where  I  will  be 
stationed.  I  hope  that  ere  this  your  eyes  are  perfectly 
recovered.  I  am  still  getting  better.  I  have  been  bre- 
vetted  a  captain,  though  as  yet  it  is  not  published.  Write 
frequently  to  your  brother. 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Notwithstanding  the  reasons  assigned  in  the  above 
letter  for  not  visiting  his  sister  the  current  year,  she 
evidently,  from  what  appears  in  the  following  letter, 
had  been  able  to  induce  him  to  change  his  mind  and 
take  the  necessary  steps  towards  obtaining  a  leave 
of  absence.  The  letter  was  written  from 


142  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Carlisle  Barracks,  Penna.,  September  5,  1848. 
DEAR  SISTER: 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  letter  directed 
to  New  York.  But  the  same  day  I  received  orders  to 
attend  as  a  member  of  a  general  court  martial  at  this 
place,  which  is  about  a  hundred  miles  distant  (from  and) 
east  of  Pittsburgh.  I  observe  that  you  wish  me  to  make 
you  one  proposal.1  In  reply  I  propose  to  see  you  in 
your  own  house  on  the  loth  of  October,  which  is  earlier 
than  you  even  requested.  As  I  have  already  given  you 
my  reasons  for  not  coming  this  fall,  it  is  unnecessary  to 
state  that  I  may  make  sacrifices  in  visiting  you.  But  on 
reading  your  letter  I  concluded  that  I  would  use  my  in 
fluence  to  do  that  which  I  so  much  desire  to  do, — to  visit 
you.  But  as  yet  the  court  has  not  adjourned,  and  I 
have  not  yet  got  my  leave  of  absence  granted.  But  Cap 
tain  Taylor  told  me  that  he  would  not  only  approve  of 
it,  but  recommend  it.  But  before  I  can  get  it  I  must  ob 
tain  the  permission  of  the  colonel  of  my  regiment  and  of 
the  Secretary  of  War.  But  should  I  not  arrive  by  the 
time  specified,  do  not  have  anxiety  about  it.  If  it  be  un 
successful,  the  fault  shall  not  be  mine.  There  are  many 
very  interesting  ladies  here,  and  there  has  been  a  soiree 
almost  every  day  since  my  arrival,  and  at  which  I  have 
enjoyed  myself  well.  When  I  obtain  my  leave,  should  I 
get  it,  you  must  not  expect  me  to  stay  with  you  more 
than  a  month.  And  I  hope  that  your  health  will  be 
much  improved  by  that  time.  You  need  not  write  me 
until  you  receive  another  letter  from  me,  as  I  cannot  say 
where  I  may  be  at  any  coming  day.  Remember  me  to 

1  His  sister  was  contemplating  making  a  visit  to  some  of  her  relatives 
residing  at  a  distance,  and  had  intimated  in  her  letter  to  him  that  he 
might  join  her  while  on  this  visit  and  accompany  her  home  instead  of 
coming  direct  to  Beverley  and  thus  preventing  her  visit. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    143 

Mr.  Arnold,  your   family,  and  my  other  friends.     My 
health,  I  think,  is  still  improving. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 
Mrs.  L.  A.  Arnold. 

As  expected,  Major  Jackson  was  enabled  to  ar 
range  his  affairs  and  obtain  a  furlough  for  a  short  ab 
sence,  but  not  at  as  early  a  date  nor  for  as  extended 
a  time  as  he  had  contemplated,  as  the  following  brief 
note  would  indicate.  It  was  written  December  2, 
1848,  and  follows  some  correspondence  with  his  sis 
ter  in  regard  to  the  visit  they  were  to  make  together 
to  their  relatives  in  Lewis  County,  at  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  former  home,  also  to  Clarksburg,  the 
place  of  their  nativity,  and  possibly  thence  to  their 
relatives  residing  in  and  about  Parkersburg. 

DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  expect  to  be  with  you  on  Monday  night,  but 
possibly  not  much  before  the  following  morning.  As  I 
will  have  to  go  on  immediately,  I  wish  you  to  be  in 
readiness,  if  you  purpose  on  accompanying  me.  .  .  . 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

In  accordance  with  the  above  notice  Major  Jack 
son  arrived  by  stage-coach  at  my  father's  home  in 
Beverley.  My  impression  is  that  my  mother  was  not 
able  to  accompany  him  on  the  prearranged  visit, 
and  that  he  continued  the  journey  alone,  and  after  a 
brief  stay  at  the  places  named,  returned  to  Beverley, 
and  remained  with  my  parents  until  it  was  time  for 


144  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

his  return  to  Fort  Hamilton.  The  first  letter  subse 
quent  to  this  visit  was  written  soon  after  his  arrival 
at  that  post,  and  would  indicate  that  exposure  in  his 
recent  travels  through  the  mountains  of  Virginia  in 
the  winter  season  had  seriously  affected  his  health. 
It  is  dated : 

Fort  Hamilton,  New  York  Harbor, 

January  /,  184.9. 
DEAR  SISTER: 

I  suppose  that  you  begin  to  think  it  time  that  I 
should  write,  but  I  am  not  certain  that  my  physician 
agrees  with  you  about  that ;  .  .  .  but  at  all  events  I 
shall  venture  to  say  that  I  am  still  living,  and,  with  the 
blessing  of  God,  hope  to  live  for  some  years  to  come. 
My  physician  has  pronounced  my  lungs  and  liver  sound, 
and  that  the  liver  has  only  been  sympathetically  affected. 
Whilst  in  Richmond  I  called  on  Mr.  Carlisle,1  and  was 
received  by  him  in  a  very  cordial  manner ;  and  during 
my  stay  there  he  allowed  no  opportunity  to  pass  unim 
proved  in  which  he  could  manifest  his  kindness.  The 
night  after  I  left  your  house  I  passed  out  at  the  head  of 
the  Valley  River,  and  the  next  morning  was  in  about 
seventeen  miles  of  Huntersville ;  but  notwithstanding,  I 
reached  the  Hot  Springs  too  late  for  the  Wednesday's 
stage,  and  consequently  had  to  wait  until  Friday.  I  am, 
as  you  have  observed,  at  Fort  Hamilton,  which  is  on 
Long  Island,  about  ten  miles  below  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson  River.  Re 
member  me  to  Mr.  Arnold,  the  children,  etc. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

1  Hon.  John   S.    Carlisle,  at  the  time  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legis 
lature  ;  afterwards  a  member  of  Congress  and  of  the  United  States  Senate. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    145 

The  preceding  letter  recalls  to  my  mind  an  amus 
ing  episode  that  occurred  in  the  course  of  the  jour 
ney  therein  described,  as  I  heard  it  related  years 
afterwards  by  my  father,  much  to  the  merriment  of 
our  family.  It  was  very  important  for  Major  Jack 
son  to  arrive  at  the  Hot  Springs  in  Bath  County, 
Virginia,  in  time  to  enable  him  to  take  passage  in 
the  tri-weekly  stage-coach  from  that  point,  on  the 
ensuing  Wednesday.  In  order  that  he  might  do 
this  my  father  mounted  him  on  his  favorite  horse, 
and  which,  it  may  be  remarked,  was  well  known 
throughout  the  Valley.  He  left  our  home  in  Bever- 
ley  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  stopped  for  the  night, 
long  after  dark,  with  an  old  German  named  Peter 
Conrad,  who  resided  some  twenty  miles  south  of 
Beverley.  Upon  retiring  he  requested  that  he  be 
called  in  time  to  resume  his  journey  about  three 
o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  as  characteristic  with 
Major  Jackson,  gave  no  intimation  as  to  who  he 
was,  or  his  reason  for  wishing  to  depart  at  such  an 
unusual  hour.  Major  Jackson  arose  in  time,  without 
waiting  to  be  called,  and  ordered  his  horse  to  be  fed 
and  brought  out  that  he  might  resume  his  journey. 
Much  to  his  consternation  he  was  informed  by  old 
Peter  that  the  horse  would  not  be  forthcoming,  and 
furthermore,  that  he  would  not  be  allowed  to  con 
tinue  his  journey.  He  assigned  as  his  reason  that 
that  horse  belonged  to  Jonathan  Arnold  of  Beverley, 
and  that  he  intended  to  keep  it  there  for  him.  A 
stranger,  arriving  in  the  night  and  proposing  to 
leave  before  daylight  the  next  morning,  had  evi- 


146  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

dently,  in  the  time  intervening,  given  Peter  food  for 
thought  with  the  result  that  he  had  reached  the  con 
clusion  that  this  fine  looking  stranger  was  getting 
away  with  a  horse,  the  property  of  his  friend,  Jona 
than  Arnold,  and  in  which  proceeding  he  had  de 
termined  to  take  a  hand  then  and  there.  Peter  was 
fearless,  and  a  more  obstinate  specimen  of  the  genus 
homo  never  lived.  Having  once  made  up  his  mind 
it  was  a  finality  ;  to  change  his  opinion  was  a  task 
about  equal  to  a  new  creation.  One  can  well  im 
agine  the  warfare  of  argument  that  ensued,  supple 
mented  by  much  and  repeated  explanation,  accom 
panied  with  no  little  very  natural  indignation. 
Greatly  to  the  surprise  of  those  who  ever  knew  Peter 
Conrad,  the  young  army  officer,  in  fine  uniform, 
finally  convinced  Peter  that  he  was  the  brother-in-law 
of  the  owner  of  the  horse,  and  that  it  was  all  impor 
tant  for  him  to  arrive  at  the  Hot  Springs  in  time  for 
the  Wednesday  stage-coach,  and  he  was  allowed  to 
proceed  on  his  journey.  Whether  this  delay  caused 
him  to  miss  the  connection,  as  related  in  his  letter,  I  do 
not  now  remember  to  have  heard,  but  it  is  not  at  all 
improbable.  The  next  letter  presents  Major  Jackson 
in  an  entirely  new  r61e.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
his  boyhood  was  passed  in  the  home  of  bachelor  un 
cles,  and  where  there  were  no  females  other  than  the 
negro  slaves.  It  was  written  from  Fort  Hamilton. 

February  /,  1849. 
DEAR  SISTER: 

I  have  more  than  once  thought  of  your  request, 
to  write  you  and  give  you  the  fashions ;  but  such  would 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    147 

be  a  difficult  thing  for  me  to  do,  as  I  do  not  know  even 
so  much  as  the  names  of  the  different  parts  of  a  lady's 
apparel.  I,  in  the  matter  of  dress,  agree  perfectly  with 
the  Parisians,  who  not  only  give  the  fashions  for  New 
York  but  for  the  civilized  world,  that  a  person  ought  to 
adopt  such  a  style  of  dress  as  is  most  becoming  the  par 
ticular  individual ;  and  not  that  which  is  adopted  by  the 
greater  portion  of  mankind,  unless  it  should  be  at  least 
reasonably  suited  to  your  complexion,  height,  figure,  etc. 
I  have  begun  my  historical  studies,  having  read  about 
one-fourth  of  Rollin's  "  Ancient  History."  If  Mr.  Ar 
nold  can  prevail  on  the  wagoner  who  may  bring  my 
books  to  Cumberland  to  put  the  box  in  the  office  of 
Adams  &  Co.,  who  have  an  office  in  Cumberland,  and 
their  cars  running  from  there  to  New  York,  he  will  se 
cure  them  to  me  more  effectually  than  in  any  other  way. 
Let  the  man  take  a  receipt  for  them  and  forward  it  to 
me  at  this  place.  The  box  should  be  marked  as  follows  : 
Captain  T.  J.  Jackson,  care  of  the  Quartermaster  in 
New  York  City,  N.  Y.  The  manner  in  which  the  com 
pany  does  business  is  to  give  a  receipt  when  anything 
is  delivered  at  the  office,  and  then  to  turn  over  the  ar 
ticle  when  the  receipt  is  presented ;  and  if  the  article 
should  get  lost  to  pay  the  owner  for  it.  The  cholera 
has  entirely  disappeared  from  this  place  (Quarantine). 
The  weather  is  quite  disagreeable.  I  caught  the  rheu 
matism  in  your  salubrious  mountain  air,  which  is  har 
assing  me  no  little.  I  am  gaining  strength  and  flesh. 
If  Mr.  Gibson  will  write  to  Captain  Arnold,  who  is  at 
Fort  Monroe,  Va.,  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  he  will  get 
some  information  in  relation  to  the  ammunition  which 
was  charged  to  his  brother,  as  he  was  a  lieutenant  in 
Arnold's  company.  I  am  well  fixed  here,  having  my 


148  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

rooms  both  carpeted  and  decently  furnished.  Remem 
ber  me  to  Mr.  Arnold,  the  family,  Aunt  White,  uncle 
and  our  other  relatives. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

A  postscript  to  the  above  letter  relative  to  the 
California  gold  excitement  prevailing  at  the  period 
is  given  on  page  5  7,  and  then  quoting  further  from 
his  informant,  he  writes  of  California : 

"  The  climate  is  most  delightful,  the  thermometer 
standing  at  from  sixty  to  seventy  degrees.  As  you  may 
not  know  much  about  thermometers  (it  is  well  to  remem 
ber  that  thermometers  were  not  in  common  use  at  this 
period),  it  may  not  be  amiss  for  me  to  state  that  Fahren 
heit's  thermometer,  which  is  the  one  commonly  used  in 
this  country,  and  the  one  referred  to  above,  stands  at 
thirty-two  degrees  when  water  freezes ;  at  fifty-five  de 
grees  the  air  is  temperate,  at  seventy-five  degrees  the  air 
is  at  summer  heat,  at  ninety -five  degrees  the  air  is  at  blood- 
heat,  and  two  hundred  and  twelve  degrees  the  air  would  be 
at  the  temperature  of  boiling  water ;  from  the  foregoing, 
you  observe,  the  climate  referred  to  must  be  charming." 

T.  J.  J. 

The  next  letter  reveals  more  of  Major  Jackson's 
devout  religious  nature  at  this  early  period  of  his  life. 

Fort  Hamilton,  New  York  Harbor, 

March  /,  184.9. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

Yours  has  come  safe  to  hand,  and  I  regret  to 
learn  from  its  contents  that  death  has  made  such  havoc 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    U9 

among  your  neighbors ;  yet  all  must  pay  the  same  final 
debt,  and  my  sincere  desire  and  thrice  daily  prayer 1  is, 
that  when  your  exit  comes  that  your  previous  prepa 
ration  will  have  been  made.  How  glorious  will  it  be  in 
that  august  and  heaven-ordained  day  to  meet  with 
mother,  brother,  sister  and  father  around  the  shining 
throne  of  Omnipotence ;  there  I  wish  and  hope  to  meet 
you,  with  a  joy  that  shall  never  be  alloyed  by  separation. 
I  have  not  as  yet  visited  the  city,  but  my  health  is  so 
improved,  that  I  expect  to  do  so  before  long ;  and  then 
I  shall  take  pleasure  in  obtaining  and  forwarding  to  Mr. 
Arnold  catalogues  from  the  two  most  celebrated  book 
firms  in  the  United  States.  One  is  that  of  Harper  & 
Brothers ;  the  other  Appleton's.  The  former  has  the 
largest  assortment  in  the  United  States,  and  the  latter 
the  best  in  quality,  but  high  in  price ;  and  as  the  former 
are  the  cheaper,  I  prefer  them  for  my  own  use ;  but 
when  Mr.  Arnold  receives  the  catalogues  he  can  judge 
for  himself,  and  if  he  wishes  me  to  make  any  purchases 
for  him  it  will  give  me  pleasure  to  do  so.  And  by  in 
forming  me  what  works  to  get,  and  where  to  direct  them, 
I  will  be  enabled  to  send  them  safely  to  any  designated 
point  between  New  York  City  and  Cumberland.  1  fear 
that  I  shall  find  some  difficulty  in  selecting  you  an  ap 
propriate  work,  as  I  know  of  none  at  this  time,  but  I 
shall  make  an  effort.  It  would  be  a  source  of  gratifica 
tion  to  write  to  you  every  fortnight ;  but  writing,  as  I  may 
have  told  you,  gives  me  pain  in  the  right  side,  and  which 
I  am  by  no  means  free  from  at  this  moment.  .  .  . 
Remember  me  kindly  to  the  family  and  my  relatives. 

Your  brother, 
Mrs.  L.  A.  Arnold.  THOMAS. 

1  Italics  added. 


150  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Fort  Hamilton ,  New  York  Harbor t 

April  7,  1849. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

Owing  to  a  desire  to  secure  some  catalogues  for 
Mr.  Arnold,  I  have  not  written  earlier.  Yesterday  I 
went  to  Harper  &  Brothers'  bookstore,  but  they  had 
none  on  hand,  but  said  that  they  would  have  in  a  few 
days.  I  obtained  one  from  Appleton's  establishment, 
and  shall  forward  it  by  the  same  mail  as  this  letter.  It 
does  not  contain  all  his  books.  When  I  shall  have  ob 
tained  one  from  Harper's  I  shall  also  forward  it.  And 
if  Mr.  Arnold  shall  want  any  books  that  may  not  be 
found  in  either  of  them,  let  me  know  what  ones  they 
are,  and  I  believe  that  I  can  find  them  in  some  part  of 
the  city.  Your  request  has  not  yet  been  complied  with, 
but  I  rely  on  your  generosity  of  character,  as  my  strength 
forbids  much  exercise,  and  especially  walking  on  the 
hard  pavements  of  the  city.  But  I  am  improving  in 
both  flesh  and  strength  and  I  hope  in  health  also.  I  am 
now  under  the  care  of  one  of  the  first  medical  men  of 
New  York  City.  I  have  lately  commenced  visiting 
more  frequently,  and  every  few  evenings  receive  an  in 
vitation  to  some  social  party.  Yesterday,  whilst  walking 
through  the  city,  I  thought  of  the  pleasure  which  I 
would  derive  from  sharing  the  contemplation  of  its 
beauties  and  wonders  with  you.  Naturally  I  recalled 
to  mind,  and  applied  to  New  York,  what  the  French 
man  asserted  of  Paris  when  he  said  that  when  a  man 
had  seen  Paris,  that  he  had  seen  all  the  world.  In 
New  York  may  be  found  almost  anything  which  the 
inclination  may  desire  but  peaceful  quiet.  Everything 
is  in  motion,  everything  alive  with  animation.  In  its 
busy  throng  none  feel  the  long  and  tedious  hour ;  even 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    161 

the  invalid  for  the  time  forgets  his  infirmities  and  with 
wondering  admiration  contemplates  the  surrounding 
scenes.  Frequently  you  are  the  subject  of  my  thoughts, 
and  if  you  were  only  within  the  reach  of  rapid  communi 
cation  would  receive  more  frequent  visits.  The  weather 
is  moderating  here. 


Fort  Hamilton,  New  York  Harbor t  June  12, 184.9. 
DEAR  SISTER  : 

Doubtless  you  are  expecting  an  answer  to  your 
last,  and  in  truth  not  without  reason,  as  I  have  not  writ 
ten  for  more  than  two  months.  But  my  silence  has  not 
originated  from  your  not  replying  to  my  former  letters, 
but  is  due  to  other  causes,  such  as  weak  eyes  and  pres 
sure  of  business,  as  I  have  to  discharge  the  duties  of 
quartermaster  and  commissary,  in  addition  to  my  other 
company  duties,  and  from  such  causes  I  have  now  a 
number  of  unanswered  letters  on  hand.  I  wish  when 
practicable  to  write  to  you  once  every  month,  and  I  do 
not  wish  you  to  reply  unless  your  eyes  will  admit  of  it 
without  pain,  because  I  prefer  that  your  health  should  be 
preserved  to  any  other  earthly  consideration.  And  I 
hope  that  you  will  not  strain  your  eyes  on  any  account 
whatever.  We  cannot  appreciate  our  blessings  until  de 
prived  of  them.  My  health  is  improving.  I  forwarded 
to  Mr.  Arnold  a  catalogue  of  Harper's  publications.  If 
there  is  anything  in  it  which  he  wishes  I  hope  that  he 
will  not  fail  to  let  me  know.  When  you  get  possession 
of  my  books,  I  wish  that  you  would  retain  them  until  I 
see  you,  or  write  relative  to  them.  I  have  not  subscribed 
for  Graham 's  Magazine,  but  will  do  so  if  you  desire.  I 
merely  sent  you  a  copy  in  order  to  see  how  you  would 
like  it.  I  hope  to  send  you  a  copy  or  number  of  the 


152  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Lady's  Book,1  which  some  prefer  to  Graham's,  though  I 
cannot  say  which  is  best ;  but  when  you  shall  have  re 
ceived  it,  you  can  judge  for  yourself.  I  have  received 
my  commission  as  brevet  major.  I  am  gratified  that  you 
had  an  opportunity  of  doing  Judge  Lee  a  favor.  I  sent 

a  fifty  dollar  bank  draft  to  S W ,  with  a  request 

that  he  would  pay   Miss  C N a  small  sum,  I 

think  $2.50,  $3.00  or  $3.50,  which  she  let  me  have  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  small  purchase,  which  I  did  not 
make  ;  and  as  I  have  heard  nothing  of  him  since  (a  rela 
tive  who  at  the  time  was  on  his  way  across  the  plains  to 
California)  and  as  some  months  have  elapsed,  I  fear  that 
something  may  be  wrong.  I  wish  that  you  would  ask 

Miss  Eliza  N about  it  and  if  S has  not  settled 

it,  I  wish  that  you  would.  If  at  any  time  you  should  not 
receive  an  expected  letter,  try  and  make  yourself  easy,  as 
in  case  of  any  accident  happening  to  me,  I  have  friends 
who  would  not  fail  to  give  the  necessary  information. 
The  cholera  in  the  city  is  on  the  decline.  I  have  no 
dread  of  it,  as  I  believe  that  those  who  keep  their  sys 
tems  in  a  healthy  state  have  but  little  to  fear. 

Your  sincere  brother, 

THOMAS. 
Mrs.  L.  A.  Arnold. 

1  Godey's  Lady's  Book. 


FORT  HAMILTON  (1848-1850) 

MAJOR  JACKSON  was  seriously  handi 
capped  at  times  in  his  studies  and  work  in 
consequence  of  weak  eyes.  It  was  his  in 
variable  custom  in  reading  or  writing  to  wear  a 
shade  for  their  protection,  and  never  to  use  them  for 
such  purposes  by  artificial  light.  He  had  to  exer 
cise  the  greatest  care  with  them  in  order  to  be  able 
to  discharge  his  daily  duties.  By  the  observance  of 
strict  rules  in  their  use,  his  eyes  in  time  were  much 
improved.  In  the  letter  following  he  refers  to  this 
infirmity,  and  from  his  experience  is  able  to  impart 
some  excellent  advice  to  his  sister  for  the  care  of  her 
eyes,  which  at  intervals  gave  her  more  or  less  pain. 
Also,  his  health  was  so  impaired  as  to  necessitate  the 
strictest  attention  on  his  part,  at  times,  to  the  char 
acter  of  food  that  he  used  ;  and  from  a  study  of  his 
own  dietary,  he  was  enabled  to  give  some  valuable 
advice  on  this  subject.  His  life  while  at  Fort  Ham 
ilton  seems  to  have  been  interspersed  with  various 
official  calls  to  distant  points.  The  social  festivities 
on  these  occasions  evidently  were  greatly  enjoyed 
by  him.  And  while  he  writes  of  the  life  at  Fort 
Hamilton  as  being  rather  dull,  yet  it  is  evident  that 
it  was  not  entirely  devoid  of  the  usual  pleasures  of 
society  in  which  he  participated. 

'53 


154:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Fort  Hamilton,  New  York  Harbor, 

Monday i  July  2,  184.9. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

The  morning  duties  are  ended,  and  through  the 
blessings  of  that  All  Ruling  Being  I  am  allowed  the 
privilege  and  pleasure  of  communing  with  you.  I  re 
ceived  some  days  since  a  letter  from  Uncle  John  White, 
informing  me  of  your  visit  to  him,  and  of  the  news  of 
his  vicinity,  but  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  mention  as 
I  presume  that  all  is  probably  already  known  to  you. 

.     .     .     I    also   received   a    letter   from   Cousin   E 

C ,  informing  me  of  the  marriage  of  Cousin  I , 

her  sister,  of  her  own  recovered  health,  and  of  the  pros 
pects  of  her  promising  brothers,  B and  W .  She 

also  stated  that  the  health  of  Aunt  and  Uncle  Williams 
was  good.  But  she  had  not  heard  from  you  since  my 
visit.  If  your  eyes  should  become  so  as  to  allow  of  your 
writing  without  pain,  then  try  and  drop  her  a  note,  for 
truly  she  is  one  of  your  friends.  But  I  hope  that  you 
will  not  strain  your  eyes  for  the  purpose  of  writing  to 
any  one.  You  can  at  least  send  her  your  card  and  an 
occasional  message  by  some  of  the  lawyers.  (The  rela 
tive  referred  to  lived  in  Clarksburg,  Virginia.  The  more 
prominent  lawyers  of  that  place  attended  the  courts  held 
at  Beverley.)  I  feel  much  concern  about  your  eyes,  for 
fear  that  you  will  strain  them.  Remember  that  the  best 
physicians  are  opposed  to  straining  that  important  organ ; 
and  when  it  fails,  or  begins  to  fail,  naturally,  that  they 
recommend  spectacles.  But  this  should  be  the  last 
resort,  and  should  only  be  used  when  necessary.  For 
instance,  some  persons  can  walk  about  out-of-doors  and 
indoors  without  the  light  hurting  their  eyes,  but  must  use 
the  auxiliary  in  reading.  The  great  objection  to  spec- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    155 

tacles  is  that  when  their  use  is  once  commenced,  it  must 
be  generally  continued  through  life.  A  person  in  pur 
chasing  a  pair  should  select  the  lowest  number  which 
will  answer  the  proposed  end  ;  and  then,  as  circumstances 
require,  increase  it.  But  I  would  advise  you  not  to  use 
them  as  long  as  you  can  do  without  them,  at  the  same 
time  avoiding  pain.  My  eyes  were  so  weak  some  months 
since  that  I  could  not  look  long  at  objects  through  the 
window  ;  and  to  look  out-of-doors  was  frequently  painful, 
though  but  for  a  moment ;  and  I  was  reduced  to  the 
necessity  of  masking  my  looking  glass,  on  account  of  its 
reflection.  I  could  not  look  at  a  candle,  not  even  for  a 
second,  without  pain.  I  consulted  my  physician,  and  he 
told  me  not  to  use  them,  and  at  the  same  time  to  avoid 
spectacles.  I  did  so,  and  at  present  I  can  read  a  letter  of 
three  or  four  pages  without  feeling  any  inconvenience  of 
consequence.  My  health  is  improving,  and  my  strength 
is  returning.  I  have  so  strictly  adhered  to  my  whole 
some  diet  of  stale  bread  and  plainly  dressed  meat  (having 
nothing  on  it  but  salt)  that  I  prefer  it  now  to  almost  any 
thing  else.  The  other  evening  I  tasted  a  piece  of  bread 
with  butter  on  it,  and  then  the  bread  without  it,  and 
rather  gave  my  preference  to  the  unbuttered  bread  ;  and 
hence  I  may  never  taste  any  more  of  this  once  much 
relished  seasoning.  And  I  think  if  you  would  adopt  for 
your  breakfast  a  cup  of  moderately  strong  black  tea,  stale 
wheat  bread  (wheat  bread  raised,  and  not  less  than  twenty- 
four  hours  old),  fresh  meat — broiled  or  roasted  is  best — the 
yolk  of  one  or  two  eggs — the  white  is  hardly  worth  eating 
as  it  requires  digestion  and  affords  but  little  nutrition.  For 
dinner  the  same  kind  of  bread  and  meat,  one  vegetable 
only,  say  peas,  beans  or  this  year's  potatoes,  and  for 
drink,  plain  water.  For  tea,  the  same  kind  of  bread  and 


156  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

drink  as  for  breakfast,  and  nothing  else,  unless  you 
choose  a  little  butter.  The  great  beauty  of  the  foregoing 
is  that  it  furnishes  all  the  nutrition  which  food  can  give, 
and  at  the  same  time  does  not  interfere  in  the  digestive 
process  like  other  substances,  such  as  salt  meats,  cabbage, 
lettuce,  desserts,  such  as  pies,  preserves,  nuts  and  all  kinds 
of  sweetmeats.  Of  what  I  have  recommended,  you  can 
eat  as  much  as  your  appetite  craves,  provided  that  you 
take  regular  meals  and  plenty  of  exercise,  say,  not  less 
than  three  hours  per  day.  I  presume  that  your  daily 
duties  require  you  to  be  moving  probably  that  much. 
Salt  meats  may  be  eaten,  but  fresh  is  preferable.  And  I 
regard  green  tea  and  coffee  so  injurious  to  the  nerves 
that  you  should  always  prefer  water  to  either.  Now  if 
you  can  make  up  your  mind  to  adopt  the  foregoing  for 
one  year,  I  think  that  you  will  probably  never  wish  to 
change  it;  and  that,  after  using  such  diet  for  two  or 
three  months,  you  may  experience  marked  advantage 
from  it.  But  you  must  bear  in  mind  that  your  meals 
must  be  at  fixed  hours.  If  you  arise  at  five  or  six  o'clock, 
and  go  to  bed  at  nine  or  ten,  then  seven  would  be  a  good 
hour  for  breakfast,  one  for  dinner,  and  seven  for  tea. 
And  you  ought  always  to  retire  to  bed  before  eleven.  If 
you  should  conclude  to  adopt  the  foregoing,  do  not  taste 
other  things  of  which  you  are  fond,  unless  it  be  fruits, 
and  they  should  be  ripe.  I  think  that  a  small  quantity 
of  fruit,  eaten  when  ripe,  and  in  the  fore  part  of  the  day, 
is  advantageous.  You  should  try  and  forget  that  you 
are  infirm,  and  pay  no  attention  to  your  symptoms,  as 
most  any  person  can,  by  being  too  attentive  to  every 
little  pain.  Remember  that  good  wholesome  food  taken 
at  proper  times  is  one  of  the  best  of  medicines.  I  shall 
have  hopes  of  your  improvement  when  you  have  resolved 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    157 

to  taste  nothing  of  which  you  are  fond  except  such  things 
as  I  have  mentioned.  If  you  commence  on  this  diet, 
remember  that  it  is  like  a  man  joining  the  temperance 
society :  if  he  afterwards  tastes  liquor  he  is  gone. 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Fort  Hamilton,  December  j,  184.9. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  ; 

With  much  pleasure  I  received  your  letter  a  few 
days  since.     I  am  not  certain  as  to  the  amount  due  Miss 

N ,  but  I  believe  it  to  be  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents ; 

but  if  she  says  three  or  three  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  I  am 
satisfied  to  take  her  word  for  it.  Keep  my  books  in  your 
care.  I  hope  to  come  next  fall.  I  should  be  much 
pleased  could  I  spend  with  you  the  present  winter.  My 
disease  is  improving,  for  which  I  feel  thankful  to  Omnip 
otent  God,  from  whom  every  blessing  cometh.  I  believe 
that  my  infirmity  is  dyspepsia,  not  of  a  dangerous  charac 
ter,  but  of  a  nervous  one.  ...  I  sympathize  with 
you  in  your  late  bereavement.1  Remember  me  very 
kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  family.  The  weather  here  is 
at  present  disagreeable  and  the  place  rather  dull.  I  re 
turned  a  few  days  since  from  Carlisle,  where  I  had  a 
pleasant  week  among  its  amiable  and  I  might  say  lovely 
ladies.  This  is  my  third  trip  there  on  courts  martial. 

Your  brother, 
Mrs.  L.  A.  Arnold.  THOMAS. 

Fort  Hamilton,  January  7,  1850. 
Mr  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Again  I  am  permitted  by  an  indulgent  Providence 
to  say  that  I  am  still  among  the  living,  and  continue  able 
to  correspond  with  an  endeared  and  only  sister.     My 
1  Death  of  a  sister  of  her  husband,  resulting  from  an  accident. 


158  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

health  I  believe  is  still  improving.  My  strength  certainly 
is.  I  cannot  take  so  much  exercise  as  desirable,  owing 
to  a  sore  foot.  I  can  sympathize  with  you  in  such  be 
reavements  as  you  speak  of.  Uncle  Cummins  is  in  Cali 
fornia.  I  received  from  Cousin  Mary  H- a  letter  a 

few  days  since,  in  which  she  states  that  uncle  had  written 
to  her  from  near  Sacramento  City.  When  I  return  home 
I  shall  want  to  take  considerable  exercise,  and  expect  that 
by  continuing  it,  with  the  mountain  air,  to  receive  great 
benefit.  The  winter  here  has  been  quite  mild ;  it  is  snow 
ing  slightly  to-day.  I  should  like  very  much  to  spend 
this  winter  with  you ;  certainly  it  would  be  more  con 
genial  to  my  feelings.  Do  you  ever  see  Judge  Lee,  S.  L. 
Hayes,  J.  S.  Carlisle,  Dr.  McCally  and  Jos.  Johnston  P1 
If  so,  please  give  them  my  kindest  regards.  Does  the 
stage  run  from  Staunton  to  Beverley  ?  How  can  I  get  to 
Beverley  from  Baltimore  ?  Remember  me  very  kindly  to 
Mr.  Arnold,  to  the  balance  of  the  family,  and  to  my  other 
friends  and  relatives.  Let  me  hear  from  you  soon. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Fort  Hamilton,  New  York  Harbor, 

March  8, 1850. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  regret  that  circumstances  prevented  my  writing 
at  the  first  of  the  month,  but  I  suppose  you  will  not  feel 
much  offended  when  you  receive  this  of  the  8th.  I  re- 

1  The  persons  named  were  friends  of  the  family,  Judge  Lee,  later  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Virginia,  Hon.  Samuel  L.  Hayes,  Member  of  Congress, 
John  S.  Carlisle,  later  Member  of  Congress  and  United  States  Senator, 
and  Joseph  Johnston,  afterwards  Governor  of  Virginia ;  Dr.  James  Mc 
Cally  had  been  his  father's  family  physician— each  of  whom  had  shown 
Major  Jackson  personal  kindness. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    159 

ceived  yours,  and  also  the  National  Intelligencer  contain 
ing  the  speech  of  Mr.  Clay.  Your  letter  was  read  with 
pleasure,  and  the  speech  should  have  met  with  a  like  re 
ception,  but  I  feared  to  use  my  eyes  to  that  extent,  though 
they  have  improved  greatly  as  well  as  my  general  health. 
When  I  was  in  your  town  my  weight  was  about  one 
hundred  and  thirty- three  pounds,  and  a  few  days  since  it 
was  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  pounds,  being  two  pounds 
more  than  I  remember  of  having  ever  weighed  be 
fore.  When  circumstances  admit  of  it,  my  exercise  par 
takes  of  the  most  active  kind,  such  as  running,  leaping, 
swinging,  etc.  My  diet  is,  as  formerly,  of  a  plain  char 
acter,  but  wholesome  and  nutritious.  I  hope  that  my 
dear  little  niece  has  entirely  recovered  her  health,  but  do 
you  not  think,  my  dear  sister,  that  her  illness  has  been 
the  result  of  a  Divine  decree  ?  Within  the  past  few  years 
I  have  endeavored  to  live  more  nearly  unto  God.  And 
now  nothing  earthly  could  induce  me  to  return  to  the 
world  again.  My  life  is  not  one  of  privation,  as  you 
sometimes  see  among  Christians,  but  I  enjoy  the  pleas 
ures  of  the  world,  but  endeavor  to  restrict  them  within 
the  limits  which  Nature's  God  has  assigned  to  them.  Do 
you  not  remember  that  I  told  you  that  I  believed  that 
God  would  restore  me  to  perfect  health,  and  such  con 
tinues  to  be  my  belief.  .  .  .  For  my  part,  I  am 
willing  to  go  hence  when  it  shall  be  His  great  will  to  ter 
minate  my  earthly  career.  Hence  you,  knowing  His  will 
as  set  forth  in  His  holy  Word,  easily  observe  how  strictly 
I  will  adhere  to  your  advice,  given  some  time  since ;  and 
truly  it  was  good  advice,  and  such  as  I  would  not  violate 
to  save  my  head.  Yes,  my  dear  sister,  rather  than  wil 
fully  violate  the  known  will  of  God  I  would  forfeit  my 
life ;  it  may  seem  strange  to  you,  yet  nevertheless  such  a 


160  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

resolution  I  have  taken,  and  I  will  by  it  abide.  My  daily 
prayers  are  for  your  salvation,  and  some  of  my  prayerful 
petitions  have  been  answered.  Remember  me  kindly  to 
Mr.  Arnold,  to  my  relatives,  and  speak  to  the  little  chil 
dren  of  their  Uncle  Thomas. 

Sincerely  your  much  attached  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  We  have  just  received  Mr.  Webster's  speech, 
delivered  yesterday  in  the  Senate,  and  it  is  truly  rioble, 
and  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  Mr.  Arnold  will  be  much 
pleased  with  it. — T.  J.  J. 

In  the  following  letter  mention  is  made  of  the 
probability  of  Major  Jackson  being  transferred  from 
Fort  Hamilton  to  Fort  Washington  opposite  Mount 
Vernon.  From  some  cause  this  order  was  not  is 
sued,  and  the  transfer  did  not  take  place,  as  he  was 
evidently  at  no  time  stationed  at  that  military  post. 

Fort  Hamilton,  April  I,  1850. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  came  safe  to  hand,  and  with  pleasure 
its  contents  were  read.  During  the  past  month  our  sta 
bles  were  burnt.  All  the  horses  were  saved,  though 
mine,  with  several  others,  were  injured  a  little.  The 
damage  was  near  four  thousand  dollars.  I  regret  to  say 
that  circumstances  will  prevent  my  return  home  this  sum 
mer,  but  on  the  1st  of  October  I  expect  to  be  ordered 
to  Fort  Washington,  opposite  Mount  Vernon,  when  I  ex 
pect  to  get  a  leave  and  visit  you  during  some  portion  of 
that  month,  or  of  the  succeeding  one.  My  health  con 
tinues  to  improve.  My  muscles  have  become  quite  solid. 
My  exercises  are  of  a  violent  character,  when  the  chil- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    161 

blains  on  my  feet  do  not  prevent  it.  I  hope  that  little 
Ann l  has  entirely  recovered.  When  I  make  my  pro 
posed  visit  I  shall  endeavor  to  take  with  me  such  things 
as  your  letter  has  specified,  provided  that  they  are  attain 
able.  Some  of  them  may  be  difficult  to  get.  My  past 
winter  has  been  much  more  pleasant  than  the  preceding. 
The  weather  here  is  at  present  delightful ;  but  in  a  few 
days  it  may  be  the  reverse,  as  it  is  much  influenced  here 
on  the  seaboard  by  the  direction  of  the  winds.  On 
Thursday  last  I,  in  company  with  eighteen  others,  had  a 
grand  sleigh  ride.  It  was  the  best  snow  of  the  season, 
but  in  twenty-four  hours  there  was  hardly  a  trace  of  it  to 
be  found. 

Sincerely  your  brother, 

THOMAS. 
P.  S.     Remember  me  to  Mr.  A and  family. 

Plattsburg  Barracks,  N.  Y.,  May  10,  1850. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

You  observe  that  I  "am  now  on  the  borders  of 
Canada.  It  is  for  the  purpose  of  trying  some  prisoners. 
My  health  is  still  improving  and  in  a  short  time  I  expect 
to  return  to  Fort  Hamilton.  In  coming  here  I  have  passed 
some  charming  scenery.  This  place  is  on  the  western 
shore  of  Lake  Champlain.  I  should  like  very  much  to 
visit  Montreal  and  Quebec  before  returning  south,  but 
want  of  time  and  money  will  prevent  it.  On  my  way 
here  I  saw  the  old  Fort  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point ; 
and  in  front  of  this  garrison  was  fought  the  great  naval 
action  of  the  late  war  (1812).  Remember  me  very  kindly 

to  Mr.  A and  family. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

1  The  writer's  sister,  Anna  Grace. 


162  EAELY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Fort  Hamilton,  New  York  Harbor,  July  6,  1850. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  received  yours,  and  in  reply  can  say  that 
my  health  is  still  improving.  Your  request  shall  be  at 
tended  to,  but  it  will  be  necessary  to  wait  until  my  arrival, 
as  I  know  of  no  safe  mode  of  conveyance.  You  speak 
of  your  fruit  and  flowers.  I  cannot  indulge  in  the  luxury 
of  the  former,  but  in  the  latter  I  take  great  interest,  and 
I  hope  that  you  may  always  cultivate  them.  It  shows  a 
refined  taste  to  abound  in  admiration  for  the  beautiful, 
and  it  has  the  additional  advantage  of  endearing  children 
to  their  homes.  With  pleasure  they  must,  through  the 
different  periods  of  their  lives,  look  back  to  their  garden, 
filled  with  beautiful  flowers,  and  when  they  see  the  same 
flowers,  even  in  distant  countries,  how  vividly  will  it  re 
call  to  mind  their  home,  their  mother,  father,  brothers, 
sisters  and  all  their  early  associations.  I  will  not  get 
home  this  summer,  but  have  some  hopes  of  coming 
in  October;  but  I  cannot  say  what  the  result  will  be. 
How  can  I  get  through  those  mountains  during  the 
winter  season  ?  I  wish  that  I  could  come  and  spend  the 
entire  winter  with  you,  but  such,  I  fear,  will  be  impracti 
cable.  Do  not  make  any  calculations,  but  expect  me 
when  circumstances  will  best  admit  of  my  taking  a  leave. 
I  have  recently  received  a  letter  from  Uncle  John  White, 
and  Aunt  Catharine.  The  family  are  well.  Uncle  Jack 
and  Aunt  Nancy  are  dead.  (Uncle  Jack  Robinson  and 
Aunt  Nancy,  colored  slaves.)  Uncle  (John  White)  had 
recently  received  a  letter  from  our  cousins  in  California, 
and  they  say  that  Uncle  Cummins  is  dead.  This  is  news 
that  goes  to  my  heart.  Uncle  was  a  father  to  me.  (This 
is  the  uncle,  Cummins  E.  Jackson,  with  whom  he  had 
made  his  boyhood  home.)  I  want  to  bring  Thomas  a 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    163 

good  violin,  if  neither  you  nor  Mr.  A has  any  objec 
tion  to  his  learning  to  play  on  one.    Remember  me  kindly 

to  Mr.  A and  family.  Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  concluding  sentence  in  the  above  letter  pos 
sibly  calls  for  some  explanation  which  would  not 
at  that  time  have  been  deemed  necessary.  In  the 
period  in  which  it  was  written  the  violin,  or  fiddle, 
was  in  very  many  communities  regarded  by  a  ma 
jority  of  the  devout  as  Satan'  s  own  instrument,  in 
vented  by  him  for  the  one  and  sole  purpose  of 
luring  the  youthful  from  the  narrow  path,  and  entic 
ing  them  within  his  realms.  In  more  enlightened 
communities  this  prejudice  was  disappearing,  but  a 
number  of  years  subsequent  to  the  date  referred  to, 
while  on  a  visit  in  a  distant  county  I  recall  the  omi 
nous  shake  of  the  head,  accompanied  with  dispar 
aging  remarks  of  surprise,  at  the  grown-up  son  of  a 
very  pious  Methodist  class-leader  being  allowed  by 
his  parents  to  own  a  fiddle,  and  to  keep  it  at  his 
father's  home.  No  objection  on  any  such  grounds 
would  have  had  influence  in  the  home  of  my  parents, 
however.  I  remember  having  had  such  an  instru 
ment,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  the  above  letter 
explains  the  manner  in  which  it  was  obtained.  The 
next  letter  was  written  from  Fort  Ontario,  New  York, 
and  bears  date : 

August  10,  1850. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

You  are  probably  surprised  at  hearing  from  me  so 
frequently  at  different  points  as  a  member  of  courts  mar- 


164  EAELY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

tial.  I  am  now  about  twelve  hours'  travel  from  Niagara 
Falls,  and  consequently  intend  visiting  there  before  re 
turning  home.  I  will  leave  here  in  the  evening,  and  be 
at  the  Falls  next  morning.  The  court  will  probably 
remain  in  session  for  several  days.  Fort  Ontario  is  situ 
ated  on  the  lake  of  the  same  name,  and  in  view  of  the 
city  of  Oswego.  If  circumstances  permit  me  to  return 
home  to  Virginia  this  coming  fall,  how  can  I  get  to  your 
town  most  conveniently  from  Washington  City?  My 
health  is  still  improving,  but  is  as  yet  so  delicate  as  to 
render  much  regularity  necessary,  and  it  is  probable  that 
I  am  more  particular  in  my  rules  than  any  person  of  your 
acquaintance.  I  fear  that  I  will  be  a  good  deal  exposed 
in  crossing  the  mountains,  unless  there  is  a  stage  line 
through  from  eastern  Virginia.  When  you  write  let  me 
know  what  kind  of  flowers,  plants,  etc.,  are  in  your 
gardens,  and  what  kind  you  would  like  for  me  to  bring. 
I  expect  that  I  can  obtain  almost  every  description  in 
New  York.  I  am  to  commence  staying  at  a  water  cure 
establishment  this  evening,  where  I  expect  to  remain 
during  my  stay  here.  I  have  great  faith  in  them  for  such 
infirmities  as  mine.  I  have  been  for  some  months  adopt 
ing  it  to  a  certain  extent,  and  with  advantage.  Remem 
ber  me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  A and  the  family. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

In  the  following  letter  he  describes  an  official  visit 
to  West  Point,  the  first  since  his  graduation  from  the 
academy. 

West  Point,  N.  Y.t  September  j,  1850. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  am  again  at  my  first  military  station,  and  a  very 
pleasant  visit  it  is.     Here  I  see  objects  which  recall  many 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    165 

pleasant  and  agreeable  associations  of  my  youth ;  but  it 
is  my  lot  to  meet  but  few  of  my  comrades  of  those  bygone 
days.  All  other  things  are  visible,  though  changed.  One 
of  my  former  barracks  is  torn  down,  and  another  con 
structed.  But  among  the  existing  and  unaltered  objects 
are  the  garden  of  Kosciusko,  his  monument,1  Fort  Put 
nam,  in  which  Andre  was  confined,  and  from  which 
Arnold  escaped  after  his  unsuccessful  attempt  to  sell  his 
command.  Here  too  is  the  Plain,  the  military  works, 
and,  above  all,  the  grand  and  lofty  mountains.  I  am  on 
a  general  court  martial  which  will  soon  adjourn.  I  have 
been  quite  unwell,  and  had  it  not  been  for  my  judicious 
application  of  water,  I  cannot  say  what  would  have  been 
the  consequence.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Mr. 
Arnold  and  family. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

1  In  1828  a  monument  to  the  Polish  hero,  General  Thaddeus  Kosciusko, 
was  erected  at  the  northeast  angle  of  Fort  Clinton*  overlooking  the  river. 
The  monument  had  been  designed  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Latrobe,  a  talented  and 
distinguished  member  of  the  class  of  1822.  Each  cadet  contributed 
twenty-five  cents  from  his  monthly  pay  towards  the  erection,  and  the 
small  surplus  which  remained  from  the  fund  was  appropriated  to  the 
marble  basin  in  the  grotto  known  as  Kosciusko's  garden. — "  Reminiscences 
of  West  Point  in  the  olden  time,  etc." 


XI 
FORT  MEADE  (1850-1851) 

ABOUT  this  period  Major  Jackson  was  trans 
ferred  from  Fort  Hamilton  to  Fort  Meade, 
Florida,  located  some  fifty  miles  inland  from 
Tampa.  Before  proceeding  to  Florida  he  made  the 
expected  visit  to  my  parents  at  Beverley.  I  recall 
distinctly  his  stay  with  us  on  this  occasion,  and  have 
a  very  vivid  recollection  of  some  of  the  articles  he 
brought  with  him.  Among  these  was  his  artillery 
sabre  which  he  had  carried  in  the  campaign  in  Mexico. 
It  was  the  first  sword  I  had  ever  seen,  and  I  was 
greatly  impressed  with  it.  I  was  also  much  inter 
ested  in  a  large  tablespoon  ;  there  was  a  small  oblong 
block  of  some  metallic  composition,  soldered  to  the 
centre  of  the  bowl,  about  one-fourth  by  one-half  inch 
in  size.  It  was  claimed  that  in  using  it  one  would 
be  enabled  to  detect  any  poison  that  might  be  placed 
in  food  by  its  appearance  on  this  metal  block.  He 
also  had  a  beautiful  ink-stand,  with  a  pair  of  doves 
mounted  on  it,  of  Mexican  manufacture,  presumably 
a  remembrance  from  some  fair  Senorita  friend  of  the 
city  of  Mexico ;  also  a  pair  of  large  Mexican  spurs 
with  beautifully  engraved  leather  straps.1  I  think  it 

1  The  artillery  sabre  referred  to  has  since  come  into  my  possession  and 
with  the  ink-stand  and  one  of  the  spurs  mentioned  are  among  my  most 
highly  prized  relics. — T.  J.  A. 

1 66 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    167 

was  on  the  occasion  of  this  visit  to  us  that  he  brought 
me  a  small  brass  cannon  mounted  on  wheels,  a  musket 
with  tin  barrel  and  bayonet,  a  tin  sword  with  scabbard, 
belt  straps,  cap,  etc.  ;  so  that,  when  fully  equipped  in 
all  of  this  military  paraphernalia,  I  felt  very  fine. 

Just  how  long  Major  Jackson  remained  with  my 
parents  at  this  time,  or  the  date  of  his  departure,  I 
do  not  remember,  but  probably  for  one  or  two 
months.  There  is  nothing  saved  from  his  corre 
spondence  covering  the  period  intervening  between 
his  departure  and  arrival  at  his  new  post  at  Fort 
Meade.  It  would  seem  from  Major  Jackson's  let 
ters,  written  to  his  sister  while  at  Fort  Meade,  that 
he  had  undergone  quite  a  change  of  opinion  from  his 
former  expressed  preference  for  a  civil  pursuit  in 
life,  such  as  the  profession  of  law  ; l  and  he  expresses 
a  very  decided  preference  for  the  pursuit  of  arms. 
Whether  such  change  was  brought  about  by  his  ex 
periences  and  success  in  the  Mexican  campaign,  and 
an  unquenchable  longing  for  a  repetition  of  that  ex 
perience,  or  whether  his  life  and  associations  at  Fort 
Hamilton,  and  the  numerous  courts  martial  held  at 
different  points  which  he  attended,  being  detailed  as 
a  member  of  such  courts,  were  so  congenial  to  his 
temperament,  does  not  appear.  But  it  would  seem 
probable  that  the  excitement  of  battle  had  left  its  im 
press,  when  one  reads,  "  I  like  scouting  very  much, 
.  .  .  but  it  would  be  still  more  desirable  if  I  could 
have  an  occasional  encounter  with  Indian  parties." 
There  would  seem  to  be  ever  afterwards  some  over- 

1  See  letters  of  date  January  28,  1844,  and  August  2,  1845,  PP-  62,  71. 


168  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

whelming  attraction  or  lure  hidden  within  the  breast 
of  him  who  has  at  any  period  of  his  life  engaged  in 
the  hot  fire  of  battle.  He  not  only  never  forgets, 
but  seems  to  long  for  the  excitement  that  is  only  to 
be  found  in  the  midst  of  the  conflict.  It  is  astonish 
ing  how  many  men  long  past  the  meridian  of  life, 
who  had  been  in  active  service  throughout  the  Civil 
War,  immediately  following  the  declaration  of  war 
against  Spain  eagerly  tendered  to  the  government 
their  services,  and  not  from  patriotism  alone ;  and 
were  greatly  disappointed  when  such  offer  was  not 
accepted.  A  large  proportion  of  the  persons  so  de 
scribed  were  not  only  men  of  family,  but  settled  in 
business,  and  in  many  instances  in  comfortable  cir 
cumstances,  some  holding  important  and  lucrative 
offices :  as  illustrations,  one  was  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  his  state ;  one  an  elderly  and 
dearly  beloved  clergyman,  in  active  work.  Other 
instances  were  known  to  me  among  my  personal 
friends.  The  large  majority  of  these  gentlemen 
were  ever  afterwards  very  reticent  about  the  fact  of 
having  made  offer  of  their  services,  and  exhibited 
little  disposition  to  discuss  the  matter,  the  subject 
presumably  having  become  somewhat  worn  in  their 
family  circles.  The  first  letter  of  those  preserved 
written  from  Major  Jackson's  new  post  is  dated: 

Fort  Meade,  Fla.,  March  /,  1851. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  very  sister-like  letter  has  been  received  and 
its  contents  read  with  much  pleasure,  although  the  writ 
ing  was  in  rather  a  small  hand.  You  must  not  suppose 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    169 

that  I  would  like  to  see profess  religion  without 

possessing  it.  A  hypocrite  is,  in  my  judgment,  one  of 
the  most  detestable  of  beings.  My  opinion  is  that  every 
one  should  honestly  and  carefully  investigate  the  Bible, 
and  then  if  he  can  believe  it  to  be  the  word  of  God,  to 
follow  its  teachings.  .  .  .  My  pay  is  seventy  dollars 
per  month,  but  as  I  receive  fourteen  dollars  for  extra 
duties,  it  amounts  to  eighty-four  dollars  per  month.  You 
are  very  kind  in  offering  me  assistance  in  case  that  I 
should  enter  civil  life.  It  is  doubtful  whether  I  shall  re 
linquish  the  military  profession,  as  I  am  very  partial  to  it. 
Should  I  do  so,  however,  I  hope  that  I  will  never  stand 
in  need  of  any  pecuniary  assistance.  All  the  aid  which 
will  be  desired  will  be  in  obtaining  fame.  You  say  that 
I  must  live  on  it  for  the  present.  I  say  not  only  for  the 
present,  but  during  life.  What  do  you  mean  by  the 
sword,  and  of  my  friend  Hayes  turning  Whig  ?  Remem 
ber  me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  A .  Florida,  so  far  as  I 

have  seen  it,  is  a  vast  plain,  with  occasional  slight  eleva 
tions.  It  is  covered  with  beautiful  forests  of  pine — the 
yellow  pine  growing  on  the  elevations,  and  the  pitch  pine 
on  the  lowlands.  The  country  is  filled  with  lakes  and 
swamps.  The  soil  is  very  sandy  and  generally  very  thin. 
It  produces  corn  and  most  northern  productions,  with  the 
exceptions  of  wheat,  rye,  oats  and  barley,  where  the  soil 
is  good.  It  produces  most  excellent  sugar  and  cotton, 
but  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  growth  of  the  sweet  po 
tato,  which  sometimes  grows  more  than  two  feet  in 
length  and  eighteen  inches  in  circumference.1  But  the 
most  profitable  occupation  here  is  raising  cattle.  Here 
a  cow  and  calf  will  cost  ten  dollars.  All  that  is  necessary 

1 1  have  been  informed  by  residents  of  Central  Florida  that  sweet  po 
tatoes  of  this  size  are  not  unusual. — T.  J.  A. 


1TO  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

is  to  buy  a  sufficient  number,  and  turn  them  into  the 
woods,  hunt  them  up  every  year,  mark  and  brand  them. 
The  owner  neither  feeds  nor  salts  them.  When  the  steers 
become  three,  four,  five,  six  and  seven  years  old,  they  are 
sold  at  from  seven  to  sixteen  dollars,  and  carried  by  sea 
to  Nassau,  Key  West,  or  elsewhere  for  consumption. 
There  is  plenty  of  game  here,  such  as  deer  and  turkey ; 
also  some  bear,  tigers 1  and  panther.  I  have  just  re 
turned  from  an  eight  days'  scout,  in  which  I  saw  about 
twenty  deer  in  one  forenoon.  I  could  find  no  Indians.  I 
travelled  more  than  one  hundred  miles  without  seeing  a 
house.  I  like  scouting  very  much,  as  it  gives  me  a  relish 
for  everything ;  but  it  would  be  still  more  desirable  if  I 
could  have  an  occasional  encounter  with  Indian  parties. 
I  have  been  on  several  sugar  plantations  in  Florida. 
They  present  the  appearance  of  a  large  farm  covered  with 
luxuriant  corn.  Eatables  here  are  very  dear ;  eggs  are 
from  thirty-seven  to  fifty  cents  per  dozen ;  corn  between 
one  and  two  dollars  per  bushel ;  hens  fifty  cents  each, 
etc.  I  wish  that  I  could  not  only  see  you  every  year  but 
every  day.  Give  my  thanks  to  Mr.  A for  his  kind 
ness.  Any  attentions  shown  to  Mr.  Hayes  or  to  Mr.  Car 
lisle  by  you  will  be  considered  as  personal  favors  to  my 
self,  for  they  have  both  rendered  me  great  services,  and 

are  my  warm  friends.     How  far  does    Mr.  C live 

from  you,  for  when  I  visit  Beverley  I  must  see  him. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Fort  Meade,  Fla.t  April  2,  1851. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  affectionate  letter  has  been  received  and  read 

1  The  local  name  for  the  catamount  and  which  is  also  called  puma  in 
that  state. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    171 

with  much  pleasure.  I  should  think  from  the  tone  of 
them — the  last  few — that  your  health  has  improved  very 
much,  although  you  do  not  say  so  in  so  many  words.  I 
have  hopes  of  being  able  to  live  near  you  for  a  while.  I 
received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Smith,  the  superintendent 
of  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  at  Lexington  (Va.),  in 
which  he  kindly  offers  to  present  my  name  to  the  Board 
of  Visitors,  in  June  next,  as  a  candidate  for  the  Professor 
ship  in  Natural  and  Experimental  Philosophy  in  the  In 
stitute.  I  have  accepted  his  offer,  but  am  unable  to  say 
whether  I  shall  be  elected.  If  I  knew  who  would  com 
pose  the  Board,  then  I  could  form  a  better  idea.  If  I 
have  a  few  friends  on  it,  my  chance  will  probably  be 
good.  I  consider  the  position  both  conspicuous  and  de 
sirable.  I  will  be  in  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  one 
hundred  and  sixty  miles  from  you,  will  have  quarters,  and 
receive  twelve  hundred  dollars  per  year.  Philosophy  is  my 
favorite  subject.  I  hope  through  the  blessings  of  Provi 
dence  to  succeed  in  securing  the  post.  I  have  heard  that 
the  Hon.  Joseph  Johnson  is  to  be  our  governor.  Is  it 
Joseph  Johnson  of  Harrison  (County)  ?  If  so,  I  am  much 
pleased,  as  he  has  befriended  me  on  more  than  one  occa 
sion.  I  believe  that  John  Stringer  (of  Lewis  County, 
and  friend  of  the  family)  will  probably  be  on  the  Board 
of  Visitors  in  June  next.  This  information  I  received  by 
yesterday's  mail.  Where  does  he  live  ?  I  see  that  Mr. 
Carlisle  has  been  making  two  speeches  in  the  convention. 
I  look  upon  him  as  one  of  the  promising  sons  of  Virginia. 
I  hope  before  long  to  see  him  in  Congress.1  I  am  much 
pleased  at  seeing  Cousin  Wm.  L.  Jackson  also  in  the 
convention.  Indeed  I  have  some  hopes  that  our  ancient 

1  Hon.  Jno.  S.  Carlisle  of  Harrison  County,  Va.     Afterwards  served  in 
Congress  and  the  United  States  Senate. 


172  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

reputation  may  be  revived.1  I  might  have  sent  this  letter 
sooner,  but  I  designedly  delayed  it  to  see  if  yesterday's 
mail  (6th  of  April)  would  not  enable  me  to  give  you  some 
good  news,  but  I  did  not  receive  the  information  which  I 
was  waiting  for ;  but  in  my  next  I  hope  to  be  in  posses 
sion  of  agreeable  tidings  for  you,  but  I  am  not  over- 
sanguine.  I  received  a  few  days  since  a  very  kind  and 
well  wishing  letter  from  General  John  J.  Jackson.2  When 
I  visit  you  I  want  also  to  visit  him.  I  find  that  I  have 
many  friends.  Indeed  I  have  found  that  all  to  whom  I 
apply  for  assistance  are  ready  to  give  me  a  helping  hand. 
The  general's  letter  was  particularly  gratifying  to  me.  I 
shall  not  attempt  a  theological  discussion  with  you  at 
present,  hoping  to  see  you  during  the  present  year,  when 
I  hope  that  you  will  have  all  of  your  questions  and  ideas 
prepared  for  the  investigation  of  your  brother.  Remem 
ber  me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  A ,  to  Aunt  White,  to 

Uncle,  Cousin  John,  Uncle  S ,  Colonel  Goff  and  other 

friends.  Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  following  brief  note  was  evidently  written  at 
Major  ) Jackson's  dictation,  as  it  is  not  in  his  hand 
writing. 

Fort  Meade,  Florida,  April  22,  1851. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Good  news.  I  have  been  elected  Professor  of 
Natural  and  Experimental  Philosophy  in  the  Virginia 
Military  Institute,  and  you  may  expect  me  home  in  the 
latter  part  of  June.  YOUR  BROTHER. 

1  Wm.  L.  Jackson  and  John  S.  Carlisle  were  members  of  the  Virginia 
Constitutional  Convention  then  in  session  in  Richmond. 

2  A  very  distinguished  relative.     A  graduate  of  the  United  States  Mili 
tary  Academy  at  West    Point   of  the  class  of  1815.     Later  served  on 
Andrew  Jackson's  staff  in  Florida. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    173 

P.  S.  I  am  recovering  from  a  recent  attack  of  sickness 
and  owing  to  the  weakness  of  my  eyes  do  not  like  to 
write  myself. 


Fort  Meadet  Florida,  May  16, 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  expect  to  leave  for  home  next  week  or  the  week 
after.  My  health  is  better  than  it  has  been  for  years, 
except  my  eyes,  which  are  still  weak. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

The  vacant  professorship  at  the  Virginia  Military 
Institute  would  seem  to  have  been  a  position  much 
coveted  by  young  army  officers,  if  the  names  that 
were  before  the  Board  of  Visitors  in  connection  with 
the  position  are  any  criterion.  Among  other  appli 
cants  were  George  B.  McClellan,1  Jesse  L.  Reno,2 
W.  S.  Rosecrans,  later  distinguished  generals  of  the 
Federal  army,  and  General  G.  W.  Smith  of  the  Con 
federate  army  —  all  of  them  noted  for  high  scholar 
ship  and  for  gallant  services  in  Mexico.  Judging 
from  the  expressions  in  Major  Jackson's  letters,  he 
was  extremely  anxious  to  get  the  appointment.  It 
not  only  promised  a  continuance  in  a  semi-military 
life,  at  a  most  desirable  location,  within  accessible 

1  McClellan,  who  had  served  on  Scott's  staff  with  Lee  in  Mexico,  and 
of  whom  Lee,  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  said,  "  He  was  by  all  odds 
the  ablest  general  the  Federals  had."  See  "  Recollections  of  General 
Lee,"  by  his  son,  Captain  R.  E.  Lee,  Jr.,  page  416.  General  Lee  made 
substantially  the  same  statement  as  that  above  quoted  in  reply  to  a  remark 
on  my  part  that  many  persons  regarded  McClellan  as  the  ablest  general 
the  Federals  had  in  the  war.—  T.  J.  A. 

8  A  native  of  Wheeling,  (W.)  Virginia,  Jackson's  own  state. 


174:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

distance  of  his  sister  and  his  former  home  and 
friends  ;  it  offered  better  compensation,  an  oppor 
tunity  to  continue  his  studies  in  his  favorite  branch  of 
science,  a  more  settled  life,  a  regular  annual  vacation 
for  the  summer  months,  instead  of  the  uncertain 
frequent  change  of  service  from  one  military  post  to 
another,  at  distant  inaccessible  points,  and  this  with 
little  opportunity  afforded  for  promotion,  or  for  dis 
tinguishing  one's  self — the  service  being  confined  to 
occasional  skirmishes  with  Indians  and  routine  daily 
duties  incident  of  army-post  life.  In  other  words,  as 
expressed  years  afterwards  by  a  distinguished  Con 
federate  general,  who  had  seen  much  of  such  service, 
"  He  had  learned  all  about  commanding  a  squadron 
of  cavalry,  but  he  had  forgotten  everything  else  he 
knew." 

Major  Jackson  had  taken  active  steps  at  once 
upon  being  informed  of  the  vacancy  to  enlist  such 
influence  as  he  and  his  friends  could  possibly  exer 
cise  towards  securing  his  appointment  to  the  pro 
fessorship.  Among  his  relatives  and  friends  were  a 
number  who  were  quite  influential,  and  loyal  and 
untiring  in  their  devotion  to  whatever  cause  they 
espoused.  So  notwithstanding  the  efforts  before  the 
Board  of  Visitors  in  behalf  of  his  distinguished  com 
petitors,  he,  on  the  28th  of  March,  1851,  received  the 
appointment  to  fill  the  chair  of  Natural  and  Experi 
mental  Philosophy  and  Artillery. 

From  Fort  Meade  he  went  to  New  York,  and 
from  there  to  Western  Virginia,  where  he  remained 
quite  a  while  visiting  his  sister  and  other  relatives, 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    175 

in  the  time  intervening  before  the  date  for  entry 
upon  his  new  duties.  I  can  recall  this  visit  very 
distinctly,  as  I  was  then  large  enough  to  accompany 
Major  Jackson  in  his  daily  walks.  I  remember 
upon  one  of  these  occasions  in  returning  home 
we  passed  the  residence  of  Rev.  Thomas  Collett,  a 
short  distance  north  of  town.  We  were  walking  in 
the  road.  When  we  were  nearly  opposite  the  resi 
dence,  which  stood  some  sixty  yards  back,  a  large 
savage  dog  came  running  towards  us  from  the  house. 
I  was  a  good  deal  alarmed,  as  I  knew  the  reputation 
of  the  dog  was  bad.  My  uncle  told  me  not  to  be 
afraid,  but  to  keep  close  to  him.  He  did  not  carry 
a  stick,  and  as  I  had  no  idea  that  he  knew  how  sav 
age  the  dog  was,  his  remark  did  not  relieve  my 
apprehension.  I,  however,  observed  his  injunction 
to  keep  close  to  him.  I  noticed  that  Major  Jackson 
looked  steadily  at  the  face  of  the  dog.  The  dog 
came  bounding  directly  towards  us ;  he  was  very 
ferocious  in  appearance.  When  within  about  thirty 
feet,  he  stopped  suddenly,  turned  and  ran  from  us 
towards  the  house  as  fast  as  he  could  go,  as  I 
thought,  completely  cowed  and  scared.  My  uncle 
told  me  he  looked  the  dog  steadily  in  the  eye.  I 
have  never  since  seen  any  one  do  this  with  such 
success.  It  made  a  deep  impression  upon  my  mind 
at  the  time,  and  I  thought  he  certainly  was  a  won 
derful  man.1 

lln  the  "Life  of  Thomas  J.  Jackson"  by  an  ex-cadet  (Mr.  James 
Dabney  McCabe)  the  following  incident  is  related :  that  Jackson  had,  in 
the  line  of  duty,  preferred  charges  against  a  cadet  which  resulted  in  the 


176  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

In  this  connection  the  following  quotation  from 
the  letter  from  Mr.  Sylvanus  White  addressed  to 
me  and  heretofore  mentioned  is  given :  "In  the 
spring  of  1851  I  returned  temporarily  from  Califor 
nia,  and  was  at  home  (residence  of  his  parents  in 
Lewis  County,  (W.)  Va.),  when  Thomas  (Major 
Jackson)  came  from  Florida  to  fill  his  position  at 
Lexington,  Virginia.  I  was  with  him  nearly  two 
days.  We  stayed  over  night  at  the  old  mill  place 
(Cummins  E.  Jackson's  former  home).  There  were 
no  other  whites  there  that  night,  only  the  negroes 
(slaves).  He  and  I  slept  in  the  same  bed.  In  talk 
ing  of  Mexico,  he  was  telling  me  of  the  heroism  of 
other  officers.  I  said,  *  I  want  you  to  tell  me  of 
your  own.'  He  replied,  '  Oh,  if  I  have  to  blow  my 
own  horn,  it  will  be  a  long  time  before  it  is  blown.' 
He  finally  consented  to  tell  me  something  about  the 
capture  of  the  city  and  what  a  difficult  time  he  had 
going  up  to  the  heights  of  Chapultepec.  He  said 
there  was  a  concealed  battery  opened  on  him  which 
cut  down  half  of  his  men  and  horses.  He  said  he 
had  great  difficulty  in  getting  his  men  to  take  a 
position  to  go  up.  I  said  in  that  case  I  should  have 
dropped  back  for  reinforcements.  '  Oh,  never/  he  re- 

latter's  dismissal  from  the  Institute.  The  cadet  stated  to  his  friends  that 
he  had  armed  himself  and  intended  to  kill  Jackson.  A  friend  of  Jack 
son  met  the  latter  on  his  way  from  the  village  to  the  Institute  and  warned 
him  that  this  cadet  was  awaiting  him  on  the  road  for  that  purpose,  and 
advised  Jackson  to  turn  back.  Jackson  refused  to  do  so,  remarking, 
"  Let  the  assassin  murder  me  if  he  will."  When  he  reached  the  place 
where  the  young  man  was  waiting  for  him,  he  turned  to  him  and  gazed 
calmly  at  him.  The  young  man  turned  away  in  silence,  and  Major  Jack 
son  continued  his  walk. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    177 

plied.  '  It  would  have  been  no  disgrace  to  have  died 
there,  but  to  have  failed  to  gain  my  point  it  would/ 
He  said  when  assailing  the  city  when  he  fired  he 
could  see  a  lane  cut  through  the  enemy.  He  said 
he  always  aimed  or  sighted  his  own  gun.  He  was 
expecting  to  go  right  into  the  city,  but  was  ordered 
to  halt  at  an  outer  gate  for  a  time.  The  next  day 
after  that  night  we  separated,  to  meet  no  more. 
The  following  occurrence  made  an  impression  on 
me.  We  met  with  an  old  acquaintance.  After 
some  exchange  of  words,  Thomas  remarked,  '  Rich 
ard,  you  ought  to  have  been  a  topographical  engi 
neer.'  *  Yes,'  he  replied,  *  but  the  great  misfortune  was 
my  father  was  born  first/  When  we  rode  on,  I  said, 
4  What  did  Dick  mean  by  that  expression  ? '  He  re 
plied,  'That  he  had  always  been  tied  down  at 
home.1  He  (Thomas)  said  he  always  donated  one- 
tenth  of  his  income  to  some  charitable  object  or  in 
stitution  ;  that  the  government  was  liberal  with  him 
and  he  could  afford  it."  Immediately  following  the 
summer  vacation,  he  visited  for  a  short  time  several 
of  the  Virginia  medicinal  springs,  which  were  quite 
noted  for  their  curative  qualities,  and  were  at  that 
period  very  largely  patronized  by  visitors  from  all 
sections  of  the  South.  From  there  he  proceeded  to 
Lexington  to  enter  upon  his  new  duties  as  a  pro 
fessor  at  the  Virginia  Military  Institute. 


XII 
VIRGINIA  MILITARY  INSTITUTE  (1851-1852) 

MAJOR  JACKSON  reached  Lexington  the 
latter  part  of  September  in  time  to  enter 
upon  his  new  duties  at  the  opening  ses 
sion  of  the  Institute.     The  first  letter  written  after 
his  arrival  bears  date  : 

Lexington,  Va.}  October  8,  1851. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  letter, 
and  the  articles  which  you  sent  to  me.  I  have  seen  Mr. 
Cowen  and  requested  him  to  call  on  you,  and  have  made 
a  similar  request  of  Mr.  Henderson.  He  is  the  brother- 
in-law  of  Colonel  Smith.  I  am  much  obliged  for  the 
articles.  An  opportunity  will  hardly  be  offered  for  visit 
ing  you  this  winter.  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Cousin 

Margaret    N ;  she   as    well   as   our   other   relatives 

are  well.  The  academic  duties  commenced  on  yesterday 
a  week.  My  health  has  through  the  blessings  of  Provi 
dence  been  so  much  improved  as  to  enable  me  to  enter 
on  my  duties,  with  which  I  am  delighted.  Remember 
me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  the  family,  and  to  all 

inquiring  relatives  and  friends.     And  say  to  Mr.  A 

that  I  hope  to  be  able  by  his  assistance  to  get  some  fine 
fossil  specimens  from  his  farm  when  I  next  visit  Beverley. 
I  remember  having  seen  some  beautiful  specimens  of 

178 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    179 

shells  near  the  (Beaver  Creek)  bridge,  above  Mrs.  B 's. 

These  he  showed  me  in  1848. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

And  then  he  writes  : 

Lexington,  Va.,  November  /,  1851. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Again  I  am  blessed  with  the  privilege  of  com 
muning  with  you.  My  duties  are  ended  for  the  week,  I 
may  say,  as  in  my  department  there  will  be  no  more 
recitations  this  week.  But  at  four  o'clock  the  faculty 
have  a  weekly  meeting  at  the  superintendent's.  I  have 
an  invitation  to  a  party  this  evening,  but  must  decline 
going.  I  admire  the  citizens  of  this  place  very  much. 
Accept  of  my  thanks  for  the  present.  How  is  Thomas 
and  all  the  family  ?  I  hope  to  see  you  next  summer.  I 
had  a  pleasant  time  at  the  Springs,  but  only  visited  the 
Rockbridge  Alum,  the  Bath  Alum  and  the  Warm 
Springs.  I  saw  the  blowing  cave;  it  is  a  remarkable 
curiosity.  There  is  at  one  time  a  strong  current  of  air 
rushing  out,  and  at  another  time  a  strong  current  rushing 
in.  There  has  never  been  but  one  opening  found  to  the 
cave.  It  is  in  Bath  County,  and  about  eight  miles  from 
the  Bath  Alum  Springs.  My  love  to  all. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Virginia  Military  Institute, 

Lexington,  Va.,Jan.  iot  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  has,  like  almost  every  other  good, 
brought  with  it  pain,  But  I  hope  that  your  health  will 


180  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

again  return  among  the  blessings  of  Providence  to 
brighten  the  remainder  of  your  days,  as  well  as  those  of 
mine.  I  have  been  desirous  of  writing  at  an  earlier  day, 
but  our  examinations  and  other  duties  have  prevented  my 
doing  so ;  and  even  now  this  pleasing  task  is  performed 
during  the  height  of  the  examination.  It  could  be  de 
layed  no  longer  without  a  degree  of  pain,  which  your 
brother  is  unwilling  to  experience  on  this  subject.  This 
trying  ordeal  will  close  about  Thursday  next.  .  .  . 
The  best  plan  that  I  can  conceive  for  an  unbeliever  in 
God,  as  presented  to  us  in  the  Bible,  is  to  first  consider 
things  with  reference  merely  to  expediency.  Now  con 
sidering  the  subject  with  reference  to  expediency  only, 
let  us  examine  whether  it  is  safer  to  be  a  Christian  or  an 
infidel.  Suppose  that  two  persons,  one  a  Christian,  and 
the  other  an  infidel,  to  be  closing  their  earthly  existences. 
And  suppose  that  the  infidel  is  right,  and  the  Christian  is 
wrong ;  they  will  then  after  death  be  upon  an  equality. 
But  instead  of  the  infidel  being  right,  suppose  him  to  be 
wrong,  and  the  Christian  right ;  then  will  the  state  of  the 
latter  after  death  be  inestimably  superior  to  that  of  the 
other.  And  if  you  will  examine  the  history  of  mankind, 
it  will  be  plain  that  Christianity  contributes  much  more 
to  happiness  in  this  life  than  that  of  infidelity.  Now 
having  briefly  glanced  at  this  subject,  to  what  decision 
are  we  forced  on  the  mere  ground  of  expediency ;  cer 
tainly  it  is  to  the  adoption  of  Christianity.  Having  made 
our  selection  of  Christianity,  the  next  point  is  to  consider 
whether  we  can  believe  the  teachings  of  the  sacred  vol 
ume  ;  if  so,  then  its  adoption  should  of  necessity  follow. 
I  have  examined  the  subject  maturely,  and  the  evidence 
is  very  conclusive ;  and  if  we  do  not  receive  the  Bible  as 
being  authentic  and  credible,  we  must  reject  every  other 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    181 

ancient  work,  as  there  is  no  other  in  favor  of  which  so 
much  evidence  can  be  adduced.  ...  I  have  not  yet 
been  able  to  procure  the  peaches  of  which  I  spoke  in  my 

former  letter.     Cousin  H has  returned  from  her  visit 

to  Point  Pleasant,  which  was  to  her  very  pleasant.  Uncle 
Minor  Neale's  daughter  has  returned  home  (Vicksburg, 
Miss.)  with  her  grandfather,  who  came  north  for  her. 
Talk  to  Thomas  and  Grace  for  me,  and  tell  them  that 
their  uncle  is  very  much  obliged  to  them,  and  that  they 
must  continue  to  be  good  children,  and  do  what  their 
mother  and  father  may  require  of  them.  Remember  me 
very  kindly  to  all  inquiring  friends  and  relatives.  I 
should  be  pleased  to  see  a  literary  institution  in  Beverley, 
but  I  cannot  see  how  to  be  serviceable  to  it.  If  you  will 
state  in  your  next  letter  what  I  would  have  to  do  here,  I 
would  be  enabled  to  give  you  a  more  definite  answer. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Virginia  Military  Institute, 

Lexington,  Va.y  Feb.  7,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Though  much  pressed  with  business  and  far  be- 
hind  in  my  correspondence,  I  cannot  defer  any  longer  a 
letter  to  you.  Our  examination  has  closed,  and  academic 
duties  have  been  resumed.  Next  week  I  hope  to  take 
up  the  subject  of  optics.  The  approaching  summer  is 
looked  forward  to  by  me  with  no  small  degree  of  interest, 
as  our  vacation  will  commence  after  the  4th  of  July. 
Your  health  I  hope  is  completely  restored  before  this 
time.  Mine  'is  still  delicate.  When  did  you  last  hear 
from  Parkersburg,  and  how  are  our  relatives  and  friends  ? 
Do  you  see  anything  of  Uncle  John  White's  family  ? 
The  weather  here  has  been  extremely  cold,  but  at  the 


182  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

present   it  is  lovely.     I  have  not  heard  from  you   for 
weeks  upon  weeks.     Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Mr. 

A and  the  family,  and  to  all  inquiring  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Virginia  Military  Institute, 

Lexington,  Va.,  Feb.  21,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  welcome  letter,  inclosing  that  of  our  cousin, 
has  been  received,  and  with  no  small  regret  do  I  con 
sider  your  past  afflictions,  but  we  are  all  the  children  of 
suffering  and  sorrow  in  this  world.  Whilst  it  has  many 
pleasures,  it  is  not  nor  will  not  be  divested  of  its  cares. 
Amid  affliction  let  us  hope  for  happiness.  But  divest  us 
of  hope,  and  how  miserable  would  we  be.  It  has  never 
forsaken  me,  nor  in  my  humble  opinion  ever  will. 
However  dark  the  night,  I  am  cheered  with  an  antici 
pated  glorious  and  luminous  morrow.  May  such  ever  be 
your  happy  lot.  No  earthly  calamity  can  shake  my  hope 
in  the  future  so  long  as  God  is  my  friend.  And  on  this 
subject  I  expect  to  have  a  long  conversation  with  you 
next  summer.  I  feel  ashamed  of  not  having  written  to 
you  earlier ;  but  even  now  I  am  debtor  a  number  of 
letters  in  other  quarters,  which,  in  time,  have  the  prefer 
ence  ;  but  my  conscience  will  not  be  troubled  at  this 

species  of  fraud.     I  am  glad  that  Cousin stopped 

with  you.  I  received  a  letter  from  Cousin  Sylvanus 
White 1  recently,  in  which  he  states  that  his  location  is  in 
Missouri  ;  but  for  the  future  he  cannot  say  to  what  quar 
ter  his  steps  will  be  directed.  My  health  has  improved. 
What  do  you  propose  doing  next  summer  during  my 
1  The  relative  whose  letters  have  been  quoted  from  several  times  herein. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    183 

visit  ?  I  suppose  that  plans  you  have  in  abundance. 
How  are  the  family  ?  Give  my  regards  to  all  indi 
vidually.  Tell  Thomas  that  I  should  like  to  have  him 
with  me  sometimes  very  much,  and  that  he  must  be  at 
home  the  next  time  I  visit  him.  Remember  me  to  all 
inquiring  friends  and  relatives.  How  is  Cousin  John 
White,  and  Aunt  White  ? 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  next  letter  is  dated : 

Virginia  Military  Institute, 

Lexington,  Va.,  April  zo,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  nothing  which  can  call  for  a  letter  from  me 
at  this  time  except  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  you,  and 
to  say  a  word  in  reference  to  your  mentioned  garden 
seed,  etc.  Tell  me  the  precise  kind  of  seed  which  are 
desirable,  and,  if  you  can,  the  mode  of  conveyance  for 
them  to  Beverley.  I  might  possibly  procure  some  grafts 
of  apricots  and  prunes,  if  they  could  only  be  sent  to  you. 
I  sent  for  my  box  some  time  since,  but  have  not  yet  ob 
tained  possession  of  it.  This  is  a  beautiful  day,  though 
the  preceding  few  have  been  cold  and  have  injured  the 
fruit  prospects,  particularly  of  the  apricots  and  other 
early  fruit.  The  plank  road  from  Staunton  to  Buchanan, 
which  latter  place  is  about  twenty-five  miles  distant  from 
here,  is  now  under  construction  through  our  town.  The 
stage  travels  about  one-third  faster  on  it  than  on  the  dirt 
road.  I  am  anxiously  looking  forward  to  July.  When 

did  you  last  hear  from  Cousin  M ?     She  appears  to 

have  dropped  me  as  a  correspondent.  I  certainly  gave 
her  ostensible  reason  for  so  doing  by  not  answering  her 


184:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

letter  more  promptly.  But  this  was  occasioned  by  pres 
sure  of  other  things.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Mr. 
Arnold,  the  family,  and  to  all  inquiring  friends  and  rela 
tives.  Tell  Thomas  and  Grace  that  I  am  not  going  to 
allow  them  to  see  their  Aunt  Nancy1  until  they  both 
agree  to  love  me  more  than  her.  Tell  them  their  aunt 
does  not  care  about  them  half  as  much  as  I  do. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

At  the  period  when  the  above  letter  was  written, 
it  may  be  stated  in  explanation,  garden  seed  and 
nursery  stock  were  much  more  difficult  to  procure 
than  at  the  present  day  ;  at  least  this  was  true  as  to 
persons  residing  in  the  country  and  the  smaller  vil 
lages.  The  reference  in  the  letter  to  the  plank  road 
would  indicate  this  as  the  era  of  this  supposed  im 
provement  in  road  building ;  it  was  made  of  two 
inch  boards,  securely  spiked  down  to  stringers, 
though  this  did  not  prevent  their  warping.  It  was 
quite  expensive.  For  the  first  few  years  of  use  it 
was  a  great  improvement  over  the  common  dirt 
road  ;  after  that,  as  the  boards  warped  and  became 
loose,  it  was  anything  but  a  pleasure  to  drive  over. 

Virginia  Military  Institute, 

Lexington,  Va.,  May  14.,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  welcome  letter  has  been  received,  but  you 
do  not  give  me  definite  instructions  about  garden  seed, 

1  Some  maiden  acquaintance  about  whom  the  family  had  been  teasing 
him. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    185 

grafts,  etc.  I  should  think  it  would  be  useless  to  get  any 
for  you  unless  they  are  such  as  I  can  convey  in  person ; 
for  you  may  judge  of  the  difficulty  of  getting  anything 
from  Lexington  to  Beverley  from  the  fact  that  though  I 
have  used  effort  upon  effort  to  procure  the  box  which 
you  sent  to  me,  and  have  told  the  stage  driver  to  spare 
no  expense  in  procuring  it,  yet  from  his  negligence,  or 
from  some  other  cause,  it  has  not  yet  come  to  hand.  I 

wish  that  you  would  either  get  Miss  H to  take  it 

back  to  Beverley  on  her  return,  or  else  send  a  servant 
with  it  to  the  stage  office  at  Staunton,  and  have  it  put  on 
the  way-bill  and  directed  to  me  at  Lexington,  Va.,  to  the 
care  of  E.  Porter.  I  have  recently  received  a  letter  from 

Cousin  Margaret  N ,  which  states  that  she  is  engaged 

in  teaching  a  school,  and  that  all  of  our  relatives  are  well, 

and  that  Cousin  'Lizzie  N ,  daughter  of  Uncle  Minor 

(Mr.  Minor  Neale  of  Vicksburg,  Miss.),  is  on  a  visit  and 
that  she  will  probably  remain  north  all  summer.  I  hope 
that  by  this  time  your  health  is  entirely  restored.  Though 
my  manner  of  living  is  very  abstemious,  yet  health  has 
not  returned  with  all  its  blessings.  However,  I  am  much 
better  than  when  I  last  bid  you  good-bye.  Remember 

me  very  kindly  to    Mr.  A and   the   family.     Tell 

Thomas  and  Grace  that  their  aunt  does  not  say  a  single 
word  about  either  of  them.1  The  weather  has  been  very 
pleasant  for  the  past  two  days,  but  to-day  is  part  sun 
shine,  part  rain,  and  then  a  mixture  of  both.  In  Beverley 
there  is  probably  snow  to  be  seen,  even  this  late  in  May. 
This  evening  we  are  to  be  favored  with  a  vocal  concert. 
I  wish  that  you  could  accompany  me.  For  my  daily 
exercise  I  have  to  walk  about  a  mile  and  a  half  for  each 
meal — three-quarters  to  and  three-quarters  from  it — and 

1  See  note,  page  184. 


186  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

in  the  morning  I  usually  walk  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
before  breakfast,  and  in  the  afternoon  about  two  miles  or 
more  before  tea. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Virginia  Military  Institute, 

Lexington,  Va.y  June  5,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  welcome  letter  has  come  safe  to  hand.  I 
regret  that  your  health  is  not  restored.  Though  im 
paired  at  present,  let  us  hope  to  see  the  day  when  you 
will  again  enjoy  that  greatest  of  earthly  blessings  in  per 
fection.  Do  not  begin  to  look  for  me  until  the  latter 
part  of  July.  I  may  be  with  you  in  the  first  part,  but  of 
that  I  cannot  speak  definitely  at  present.  My  box  has 
not  yet  arrived,  but  I  have  spoken  to  a  friend,  whose 
family  lives  in  Staunton,  to  endeavor  to  have  them  for 
ward  it.  I  shall  try  to  get  some  grafts  to  take  with  me. 
Is  it  a  fur  hat  which  I  am  to  get  for  Thomas  ?  If  so,  it 
would  be  desirable  to  have  the  measure  of  his  head.  The 
weather  is  quite  cool  here  this  morning,  though  for 
some  time  back  it  has  been  very  warm.  The  people  are 
beginning  to  visit  the  Alum  Springs.  I  wish  that  you 
could  see  our  Institute,  for  I  consider  that  it  is  the  most 
tasty  edifice  in  the  state.  We  have  had  green  peas  for 
some  time,  and  the  strawberries  are,  I  believe,  beginning 
to  disappear,  but  the  cherries  are  just  coming  in  season. 
.  .  .  I  am  enjoying  myself  more  than  I  have  done  for 
some  years,  but  still  my  health  requires  much  care  and 
rigid  regard  to  diet.  I  hope  that  the  news  may  be  true 
that  Uncle  Cummins  has  returned  ;  to  meet  him  will  be 
a  proud  day  of  my  life.  He  has  certainly  been  a  good 
friend  to  me.  Have  you  heard  anything  from  Cousin 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    187 

E.  J.  Jackson  ?  A  bill  has  recently  passed  our  State 
Legislature  which  appropriates  $30,000  for  the  purpose 
of  completing  our  barracks.  We  expect  during  the 
coming  session  to  have  about  eighteen  or  twenty  more 
cadets  than  at  any  previous  one,  and  when  the  buildings 
shall  be  completed  the  accommodations  will  admit  of 
upwards  of  two  hundred.  This  past  year  we  had  to  re 
fuse  admission  to  a  large  number.  Remember  me  very 
kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  the  family,  and  to  all  inquiring 
friends  and  relatives. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  I  hope  that  you  will  not  make  any  calculations 
as  to  the  manner  of  passing  the  present  summer  until 
after  my  arrival  at  Beverley.  T. 

In  explanation  of  the  reference  in  the  preceding 
letter  to  his  uncle,  Cummins  E.  Jackson,  it  may  be 
stated  that  Major  Jackson  had  heard  that  this  uncle, 
who  had  gone  to  California  in  1849,  and  whose  death 
had  subsequently  been  reported,  had  returned.  Un 
fortunately  the  first  information  was  correct,  as  he 
had  died  in  the  year  1850,  as  elsewhere  stated  herein. 

The  next  letter  was  written  and  mailed  from 

Alum  Springs,  Rockbridge  County, 

July  12,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  arrived  here  yesterday  in  as  good  health  as 
usual, .  and  am  delighted  with  the  waters  so  far.  The 
place  is  crowded,  there  being  about  four  hundred  visitors, 
and  the  accommodations  being  only  adequate  tor  two 


188  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

hundred  and  seventy-five  or  three  hundred.  I  succeeded 
in  procuring  half  a  bed,  there  being  one  room  for  four 
occupants.  In  a  few  days  I  hope  to  be  better  off. 
Though  we  have  had  but  two  beds  to  four  persons  in  my 
quarters,  yet  the  beds  are  good,  and  the  servants  and 
proprietors  and  their  assistants  are  attentive.  Boarding 
is  ten  dollars  per  week.  This  water  I  consider  is  the 
water  of  waters.  This  place  is  more  crowded  than  any 
other  in  the  mountains,  and  I  have  not  heard  of  a  single 
person  who  is  dissatisfied,  though  my  inquiries  have  been 
many.  My  appetite  and  digestion  have  already  improved, 
and  I  indulge  rather  freely.  My  dinner  was  principally 
bread,  which  was  rather  fresh,  potatoes  and  green  corn, 
which  is  by  no  means  digestible ;  my  supper  rich  corn 
bread,  and  the  same  for  breakfast,  using  butter  freely  at 
each  meal.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  all  inquiring 
relatives  and  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  This  establishment  was  sold  a  few  days  since 
for  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

T.  J.  J. 

From  the  Rockbridge  Alum  Springs  Major  Jack 
son  came  to  Beverley,  and  after  a  short  time  spent  at 
the  home  of  my  parents  he,  accompanied  by  my 
mother,  visited  their  relatives  in  Parkersburg  and 
vicinity,  and  from  which  visit  they  evidently  derived 
a  great  deal  of  pleasure  ;  and  after  spending  a  week 
or  more  at  the  Mineral  Wells  near  that  place  they 
returned  to  our  home,  having  included  in  the  return 
joumey  a  brief  visit  with  relatives  in  Weston  and  its 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    189 

vicinity  among  his  boyhood  friends.  After  remain 
ing  some  time  at  Beverley,  he  returned  to  Lexington, 
but  in  time,  before  resuming  his  duties  at  the  Insti 
tute,  to  again  make  some  stay  at  the  Rockbridge 
Alum  Springs,  in  the  curative  properties  of  which 
water  he  seemed  to  have  great  confidence. 


XIII 

VIRGINIA  MILITARY  INSTITUTE—  Continued 
(1852-1853) 

THE  first  letter  from  Major  Jackson  to  his 
sister  upon  his  return  to  the  Military  Insti 
tute  following  the  visit  described  in  the  last 
chapter  is  dated  : 

Lexington,  Va.t  September  7,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  not  had  even  a  line  from  you  as  yet.  I 
hope  that  this  is  not  the  result  of  ill  health.  An  im 
provement  of  health  began  to  reward  me  for  my  visit  to 
the  Alum  Springs  within,  as  I  believe,  less  than  twenty- 
four  hours  after  my  arrival  there.  I  remained  at  the 
Springs  for  three  weeks,  and  then  left  with  regret.  The 
checks  have  not  yet  come  to  hand.  Has  the  letter  con 
taining  them  been  received  by  you  ?  Our  duties  at  the 
Institute  have  been  resumed,  and  things  promise  well. 
I  have  for  months  back  admired  Lexington  ;  but  now, 
for  the  first  time,  have  I  truly  and  fully  appreciated  it. 
Of  all  places  which  have  come  under  my  observation  in 
the  United  States,  this  little  village  is  the  most  beautiful. 

In  a  few  days  I  hope  to  write  a  letter  to  Cousin  H . 

She  is  a  lovely  lady,  and  I  am  proud  of  her  as  a  cousin. 

I  wrote  to  Richard  C and  to  Dr.  B ,  requesting 

them  to  join  me  at  the  Alum  (Springs),  but  have  heard 

190 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    191 

nothing  from  either  of  them.  I  hope  that  the  baby  *  has 
entirely  recovered,  and  that  your  health  continues  to  im 
prove.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  the  family  and  to 
all  inquiring  friends  and  relatives. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     Has  Cousin  Nancy  returned  home  ?    How  is 
Miss  Eliza  and  Mrs.  H  -  ? 

T.  J.  J. 


Lexington,  Va.y  October  9, 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  kind  letter  has  finally  come  safely  to  its  place 
of  destination.  I  felt  much  concerned  about  your  long 
silence  for  fear  that  your  health  was  bad.  I  have  found 
on  my  return  home  that  the  peaches  here  were  not  so 
abundant  as  I  had  supposed,  but  there  are  great  quanti 
ties  of  apples.  Though  peaches  are  not  so  plentiful,  yet 
I  have  spoken  to  a  person  to  secure  me  two  or  three 
bushels,  and  if  he  fails  I  will  endeavor  to  obtain  them  by 
sending  to  Lynchburg,  which  is  some  forty  miles  distant  ; 
through  that  section,  I  have  been  informed,  there  is  no 
scarcity.  I  hope  that  by  this  time  the  baby  is  entirely 
well,  and  that  health  and  prosperity  are  among  the  num 
ber  of  your  domestic  blessings.  My  health  has  been 
much  improved  by  visiting  the  Alum  Springs.  I  have 
been  and  am  still  using  the  water,  but  its  effects  are  not 
so  good  as  when  used  at  the  Springs.  Cousin  H  -  has 
written  me  a  letter.  .  .  .  Cousin  M  -  is  married, 
though  of  this  you  have  probably  already  been  informed. 
The  weather  is  very  warm  and  the  ground  is  quite  dry. 
What  news  have  you  from  the  letter  containing  the 

1  My  brother  Stark,  who  had  been  seriously  ill.  —  T.  J.  A.      ^ 


192  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

drafts  ?  I  wish  you  would  let  me  know  as  soon  as  con 
venient  whether  there  is  any  hope  of  getting  possession 
of  them.  John  Gittings  *  is  doing  very  well.  Remember 
me  kindly  to  each  member  of  the  family,  and  to  all  in 
quiring  relatives  and  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  October  25,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  very  kind  letter  has  come  safe  to  hand,  and 
I  am  glad  to  learn  that  you  are  enjoying  as  many  bless 
ings  as  still  fall  to  your  lot.  I  hope  that  by  the  time  of 
the  receipt  of  this  that  the  children  will  all  be  in  perfect 

health.     George  L 2  has  been  here  for  about  two 

weeks  ;  he  and  Mr.  Harrison,3  son  of  Judge  Wm.  Harri 
son  of  Clarksburg,  purpose  taking  a  course  of  law  lectures 
this  winter  under  Judge  Brockenbrough.  George  is  a 
young  man  of  very  fine  mind,  and  I  hope  that  he  will 
acquit  himself  with  much  credit  this  winter.  A  young 
Mr.  Stribling  from  Point  Pleasant  is  also  here.  He  is 

brother  to  the  Miss  S of  whom  I  presume  you  have 

heard  Cousin  H speak.     I  hope  that  Cousin  H 

will  make  a  visit  next  summer  to  this  most  beautiful  of 
places.  I  wish  that  you  would  forward  me  the  checks 
by  the  first  mail,  as  I  am  in  need  of  them.  The  peaches 
have  not  yet  come  to  hand,  but  as  soon  as  they  do  I  will 
forward  them  without  delay.  I  weighed  yesterday  one 
hundred  and  seventy-two  pounds  and  a  fraction.  This  is 
six  pounds  more  than  any  former  weight.  My  health 
has  much  improved,  and  I  hope  that  through  the  bless- 

1  A  relative  attending  the  Military  Institute. 
3  A  relative  from  Harrison  County,  (W.)  Va. 
3  Mr.  Charles  Harrison. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    193 

ings  of  God  I  will  ultimately  enjoy  perfect  health.  Re 
member  me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  the  family, 
and  to  all  inquiring  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington >  Va.t  November  //,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  has  been  received  with  its  enclosures, 
but  it  has  brought  sorrow  to  my  heart  to  learn  that  your 
health  is  unusually  delicate.  My  dear  sister,  my  concern 
for  you  is  great.  ...  I  fear  that  you  give  your 
thoughts  too  much  to  the  things  of  this  life.  I  expect 
that  you  have  probably  been  devoting  too  great  care  to 
the  articles  which  you  spoke  of  forwarding  to  me.  Now 
do  not  think  any  more  about  me  in  relation  to  them,  but 
bear  in  mind  that  I  have  plenty  of  everything,  except 
health,  and  that  this  has  much  improved.  I  hope  that 
health  will  return  to  you  with  all  of  its  blessings.  .  .  . 
We  have  had  a  lovely  fall  in  this  portion  of  the  state. 
My  kindest  regards  to  Mr.  Arnold,  the  family  and  all  in 
quiring  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  This  morning  I  fired  ten  guns  from  the  battery 
of  artillery  in  commemoration  of  the  origin  of  the  Insti 
tute.  This  day  thirteen  years  it  went  into  operation,1 
and  it  is  now  in  a  very  flourishing  condition  ;  so  much  so 
that  we  cannot  accommodate  all  the  applicants. 

T.  J.  J. 

1  November  II,  1858,  I  was  present  when  a  salute  of  nineteen  guns 
was  fired,  which  would  correspond  with  the  thirteen  years  mentioned  in 
the  letter.  The  fact  that  but  ten  guns  were  fired  at  that  time  would  indi 
cate  a  change  in  the  salute  at  some  subsequent  period. — T.  J.  A. 


194  EAELY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Lexington,  Va.,  December  //,  1852. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  kind  letter  has  received  the  perusal  of  a 
brother,  and  I  hope  that  though  ill  health  is  your  present 
lot,  that,  notwithstanding,  you  will  continue  a  buoyancy 
of  spirits,  and  not  give  way  to  surrounding  troubles.  I 
too  am  a  man  of  trouble.  Yet,  let  the  oppressing  load 
be  ever  so  great,  it  never  sinks  me  beneath  its  weight.  I 
trust  that  this  will  find  you  improving,  if  not  well.  Our 
session  will  have  its  semi-annual  examination  in  the  early 
part  of  the  coming  January.  When  did  you  last  hear 

from  Cousin ?     A  cadet  from  Point  Pleasant  tells 

me  that  she  has  been  there  on  a  visit,  but  that  she  has 
returned  home.  Lexington  has  been  very  gay  for  some 
time  back,  owing  to  the  marriage  of  one  of  the  daughters 
of  the  late  Governor  McDowell.  The  weather  is  quite 
inclement  at  present.  You  must  talk  to  Thomas  and 
Grace  for  me,  and  tell  them  that  their  uncle  frequently 
thinks  of  them,  and  that  he  would  be  very  glad  to  have 
them  with  him.  But  that  he  does  not  like  bad  children. 
And  always  talk  to  them  for  me  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
make  them  better.  I  suppose  that  you  have  heard  of 
Cousin  Margaret's  marriage.  I  am  very  busy  this  winter 
with  studying  and  hearing  recitations,  having  not  only 
to  prepare  on  natural  philosophy  and  artillery,  but  to  be 
in  the  section  room  three  and  four  hours  per  day  addi 
tional.  My  spare  time  is  given  to  reading  and  to  other 
sources  of  improvement.  Your  brother,  THOMAS. 

Virginia  Military  Institute, 

Lexington,  Va.,  Feb.  /,  1853. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  hope  that  ere  this  your  health  has  improved, 
and  that  the  returning  spring  will  reanimate  your  feelings 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    195 

and  suggest  the  idea  that  it  is  but  the  symbol  of  the  end 
less  beauties  and  enjoyments  of  the  world  to  come.  The 
passage  of  Scripture  from  which  I  have  derived  sufficient 
support,  whenever  applied,  is  in  the  following  words, 
"  Acknowledge  God  in  all  thy  ways,  and  He  shall  direct 
thy  paths/'  What  a  comfort  is  this  !  My  dear  sister,  it 
is  useless  for  men  to  tell  me  that  there  is  no  God,  and 
that  His  benign  influence  is  not  to  be  experienced  in 
prayer,  when  it  is  offered  in  conformity  to  the  Bible.  For 
some  time  past  not  a  single  day  has  passed  by  without 
my  feeling  His  hallowing  presence  whilst  at  my  morning 
prayers.  I  endeavor  to  live  in  accordance  with  the  above 
passage,  which  means,  as  I  understand  it,  in  all  thy  ways 
acknowledge  God  and  He  shall  take  care  of  you  in  all 
respects.  What  better  Protector  can  we  desire  than  One 
who  is  Omnipotent,  Omniscient  and  Omnipresent,  and 
who  hath  promised  that  He  will  take  care  of  us  in  all 
things,  and  in  addition  to  all  this,  the  pledge  coming 
from  One  who  cannot  lie.  Our  weather  here  has  been 
quite  cold  for  some  time  back,  but  at  present  it  is  very 
beautiful,  too  much  so  to  be  of  long  duration,  I  fear. 
Persons,  I  believe,  have  generally  filled  their  ice  houses. 
I  rather  begin  to  despair  of  the  peaches,  as  I  have  not 
seen  a  dried  one,  to  my  recollection,  since  returning 
home.  You  remember  that  during  the  past  summer  I 
was  very  much  reduced  in  flesh  ;  at  present  I  have  more 
than  desirable,  and  sometimes  endeavor  to  reduce  it ; 
but  the  nervousness  with  which  I  have  been  so  much 
troubled,  and  the  disagreeableness  of  cold  feet  induce  me 
to  adhere  to  the  indulgence  of  the  palate  ;  but  my  dishes 
are  very  plain  ;  generally  brown  bread  is  the  principal 
article  for  breakfast  and  tea ;  and  sometimes  I  probably 
do  not  taste  meat  for  more  than  a  month ;  and  I  have 


196  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

not  to  my  recollection  used  any  other  drink  than  cold 
water  since  my  return  home,  and  hope  that  such  may 
always  continue  to  be  the  case.  I  have  heard  from  Judge 
Allen's  (member  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Virginia  and 
whose  wife  was  a  relative)  a  few  days  since;  Cousin 
Mary  is  well.  One  of  her  daughters  is  rather  ill.  I  met 
the  daughter  at  the  Alum  Springs  during  the  past  sum 
mer  ;  she  is  a  beautiful  girl.  Though  I  desire  to  hear 
from  you  frequently,  yet  I  never  wish  to  when  doing  so 
requires  that  your  eyes  should  be  taxed.  To  know  that 
you  are  destroying  or  endangering  the  happiness  of 
yourself  and  those  around  you  produces  more  pain  than 
the  receipt  of  a  letter  can  compensate  for. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

In  the  preceding  letter  allusion  is  made  by  Major 
Jackson  to  his  nervousness.  In  this  connection  it 
may  be  mentioned  that  General  D.  H.  Hill,  a 
brother-in-lajv  of  Jackson,  and  who  was  well  ac 
quainted  with  him,  in  writing  of  him,  says  Jackson 
was  a  very  nervous  man  ;  "  that  the  muscles  of  his 
face  would  twitch  convulsively  when  a  battle  was 
about  to  open,  and  his  hand  would  tremble  so  that 
he  could  not  write.  This  only  indicated  weak  nerves 
and  not  timidity.  I  think  that  he  loved  danger  for 
its  own  sake,  and  though  his  nervous  system  was 
weak,  he  gloried  in  battle  and  never  shrank  from  its 
dangers  or  its  responsibilities."  Similar  nervous 
ness  to  that  described  by  General  Hill  is  common 

1 "  The  Real  Stonewall  Jackson,"  Centttry  Magazine,  February,  1894. 
By  permission. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    197 

with  sportsmen  in  the  excitement  of  deer  and  fox 
chasing,  etc.,  and  has  no  relation  whatever  to  fear  or 
timidity.  Your  common  bully  is  not  a  nervous  man, 
and  yet  nothing  is  better  attested,  as  is  well  known, 
than  to  find  him  the  shirker  in  battle.  He  was  often 
the  coward,  and  his  personal  safety  was  his  predom 
inating  thought.  An  excellent  article  on  "Stone 
wall  "  Jackson  recently  appeared  in  the  Press  over 
the  signature  of  Mr.  I.  C.  Haas,  of  Washington, 
D.  C.,  wherein  he  mentions  Jackson's  lips  quivering 
when  giving  his  terse  command,  "  Push  forward, 
men.  Push  forward." 


Lexington^  Va.t  April  /,  1853. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Time  as  it  passes  brings  me  to  the  renewal  of  the 
pleasant  duty  of  writing  to  my  sister.  Though  there  is 
nothing  here  of  which  I  am  aware  that  can  be  of  interest 
to  you,  beyond  what  may  be  felt  in  an  only  brother,  yet 
pleasure  results  from  the  mere  act  of  writing  to  you. 
Our  lives  have  been  checkered  in  a  most  marked  manner, 
and  we  are  still,  notwithstanding  all  the  ill  omens  of  our 
youth,  living  even  beyond  the  usual  period  of  human 
life,  and  I  trust  that  before  us  are  the  brightest  of  our 
days.  In  taking  a  retrospective  view  of  my  own  life, 
each  year  has  opened,  as  I  consider,  with  increased 
promise.  And  with  my  present  views,  the  future  is  hold 
ing  richer  stores  in  reserve.  ...  I  too  have  crosses, 
and  am  at  times  deeply  afflicted,  but  however  sore  may 
be  the  trials,  they  lose  their  poignancy,  and  instead  of 
producing  injury,  I  feel  that  I  am  but  improved  by  the 
ordeal.  But  how  is  this  accomplished?  By  throwing 


198  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

myself  upon  the  protection  of  Him  whose  law  book  is 
the  wonderful  Bible.  My  dear  sister,  I  would  not  part 
with  this  book  for  countless  universes.  I  feel  ready  to 
make  every  sacrifice  to  carry  out  the  will  of  Him  who  so 
loved  us  as  to  give  His  only  begotten  son  to  die  for  me. 
How  exceeding  great  must  have  been  that  love.  The 
more  I  learn,  the  more  dear  does  the  precious  volume  ap 
pear  to  be  to  me.  ...  I  derive  much  pleasure  from 
morning  walks,  in  which  is  to  be  enjoyed  the  pure  sweet 
ness  of  carolling  birds.  The  weather  is  delightful  at  pres 
ent  ;  our  peach  trees  are  beginning  to  bloom,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  few  more  weeks  the  forests  will  be  clad  with 
verdure.  Judge  Brockenbrough's  law  school  has  closed 
its  session,  and  George  Lurty  has  returned  home,  after 
having  passed  a  profitable  winter.  If  he  will  only  make 
the  best  of  his  faculties,  a  brilliant  career  may  be  ex 
pected  as  his  reward.  He  possesses  talents  of  a  high 

order.     I  have  not  heard  from  Cousin  H for  a  long 

time  ;  it  appears  that  she  has  forgotten  me.  Some  time 
since  Cousin  Sylvanus  (White)  wrote  to  me,  and  stated 
that  he  was  at  home,  visiting  his  parents,  but  expected  in 
a  few  days  to  leave  for  the  West.1  Talk  to  the  children 
for  me  as  I  would  were  I  with  you.  Remember  me 
very  kindly  to  the  whole  family,  and  to  all  inquiring  rela 
tives  and  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

1  A  cousin  who  resided  in  California,  and  whose  letters  have  been 
quoted  from  herein. 


XIV 
HOME  LIFE  (1853-1854) 

ABOUT  this   period   Major  Jackson's  admi 
ration    for    a    young    lady    of    Lexington 
developed   into   an   attachment  which  was 
evidently  reciprocated,  for  their  engagement  soon 
followed.     While   this  fact  is   not  disclosed  in  his 
correspondence,  yet  in  the  light  of  subsequent  events 
a  number  of  incidents  are  mentioned  upon  which  to 
have  based  such  a  conclusion.     The  next  letter  is 
dated  : 

Lexington,  Rockbridge  County,  Va.t 

April  15,  1853. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Our  spring  is  opening  beautifully,  though  it  is 
said  to  be  late.  I  wish  that  I  could  only  be  with  you 
this  evening.  Ah !  Not  this  evening  only,  but  many 
evenings.  I  am  invited  to  a  large  party  to-night,  and 
among  the  scramble,  expect  to  come  in  for  my  share  of 
fun.  I  wish  that  you  would  send  me  by  return  mail  the 
daguerreotype  which  I  had  taken  in  New  York  after 
having  shaved.  The  one  with  the  beard  on  was  taken  at 
New  Orleans  soon  after  my  return  from  Mexico.  This 
last  one  I  wish  you  to  keep  safely,  as  I  prize  it  highly. 
If  you  remember  I  gave  you  two  others,  one  being  taken 
with  a  stern  countenance,  and  the  other  with  a  smile.  It 
is  the  smiling  one  which  I  want ;  and  don't  fail  to  send  it 

199 


200  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

well  enveloped  by  the  first  mail.  If  you  wish  it  to  be 
returned,  I  will  try  and  do  so  in  a  few  months,  or  else  a 
better  one  in  its  stead,  as  I  think  that  your  brother  is  a 
better  looking  man  than  he  was  when  that  was  taken.  It 
may  be  that  you  have  not  got  the  one  which  I  had  taken 
with  the  beard  on ;  if  not,  it  is  lost.  I  am  anxious  to  get 
father's  miniature  in  order  to  have  a  fac-simile  of  it  taken  ; 
but  do  not  trust  it  to  the  mail.  I  believe  that  you  let 

Cousin  have  the  grum  looking  one  which  I  gave 

you.  Ungrateful  girl  that  she  is,  I  am  going  to  write  her 
in  a  few  days  such  a  letter  as  such  conduct  in  a  pretty 
cousin  merits.  I  hope  that  you  are  out  of  bed  and  able 
to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  domestic  life.  Kiss  the  children 
and  tell  them  a  great  many  things,  such  as  their  uncle 
would  tell  them  were  he  in  their  company.  Remember 
me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold,  and  to  all  the  family  and 
to  all  inquiring  relatives  and  friends.  Should  any  person 
be  coming  here,  I  would  be  glad  to  get  my  Blair's 
"  Rhetoric."  Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  expression  in  the  preceding  letter,  following 
the  statement  that  he  was  invited  to  a  large  party 
to-night,  "  and  among  the  scramble  expect  to  come 
in  for  my  share  of  fun,"  will  doubtless  astonish  those 
who  knew  General  Jackson  in  later  years,  but  not 
any  more  so  than  it  would  myself,  did  it  not  recall  to 
memory  some  recollections  from  my  early  childhood, 
and  also  certain  incidents  that  were  related  to  me  by 
his  boyhood  companions.  The  inquiry  about  the 
daguerreotype,  coupled  with  the  request  for  the 
early  forwarding  of  the  same,  and  the  exuberance  of 
spirit  manifest  in  the  letter,  would  indicate  the  en- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    201 

gagement  referred  to.  The  miniature  mentioned  in 
this  letter  is  a  very  beautiful  portrait  of  General 
Jackson's  father,  on  ivory,  two  and  a  half  by  three 
inches  in  size,  mounted  in  a  plain  gold  frame,  and 
was  the  bridal  present  from  his  father,  Jonathan 
Jackson,  to  his  mother,  Julia  Beckwith  Neale,  and 
which  at  her  death  she  bequeathed  to  her  infant 
daughter  Laura,  afterwards  my  mother.  Just  before 
the  latter's  death,  within  the  last  few  years,  she  ex 
pressly  requested  that  this  miniature  be  placed  in  a 
public  museum,  and  which  request  has  been  com 
plied  with,  Miss  Grace  Arnold,  her  granddaughter, 
having  placed  it  in  the  Confederate  Museum  in 
Richmond,  Virginia.  The  next  letter  was  written 
from  Lexington  under  date  of  June  6,  1853. 

MY  DEAREST  AND  ONLY  SlST^R  I 

Your  melancholy  letter  has  brought  tears  to  my 
eyes.  Yet  I  would  never  have  you  conceal  anything 
from  me  because  of  the  pain  which  it  may  cause  me.  If 
your  health  is  really  as  you  state,  I  would  rather  know  it. 
.  .  .  What,  my  dear  sister,  is  this  life,  and  all  its  joys, 
compared  with  that  which  is  to  come?  How  happy 
would  I  be  did  I  but  know  that  beyond  this  probationary 
life  we  should  be  together  forever  more ;  there  with  those 
who  have  gone  before  us,  to  enjoy  endless  happiness. 
.  .  .  I  shall  leave  here  as  soon  as  my  vacation  will 
permit,  and  hope  to  be  with  you  by  the  I2th  of  July, 
if  not  before.  I  had  designed  making  you  a  visit  this 
summer,  but  did  not  know  whether  it  would  be  before  or 
after  my  return  from  the  North.  I  have  business  which 
calls  me  to  New  York  City  this  summer,  and  I  was 


202  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

desirous  of  going  to  some  more  distant  places.     You 

speak  of  Dr.  B 's  son.     I  wish  that  it  was  in  my 

power  to  do  him  a  service,  but  being  here  as  a  professor, 
I  ought  not  to  abuse  my  trust  in  any  way.  I  wrote  to 
the  doctor  in  reference  to  his  son,  but  I  believe  omitted 
to  state  that  in  his  letter  to  the  superintendent  of  the  In 
stitute  he  should  state  that  he  was  unable  to  educate  his 
son  himself.  When  he  calls  to  see  you  I  wish  that  you 
would  mention  this  to  him,  and  also  tell  him  that  Col. 
Samuel  L.  Hayes  is  on  the  new  Board  of  Visitors  for 
your  place.  I  most  sincerely  hope  that  his  son  will  get 
the  appointment ;  and  if  there  is  anything  which  I  can  do 
for  him  consistently  with  my  duty  as  professor,  it  shall  be 
done  with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Major  Jackson  visited  my  parents  in  accordance 
with  his  intention  as  expressed  in  the  preceding 
letter,  but  his  sojourn  with  us  was  for  but  a  brief 
period  of  time  as  compared  with  previous  visits, 
probably  not  extending  beyond  a  fortnight.  His  de 
parture  late  in  July  was  a  great  disappointment  to 
all,  as  his  visits  to  us  invariably  were  happy  oc 
casions,  and  as  much  so  for  the  children  as  for  the 
other  members  of  the  household,  as  we  were  all  very 
fond  of  him  ;  and  in  his  walks  and  visits  in  the  neigh 
boring  vicinity  he  almost  always,  to  my  great  pleasure, 
had  me  accompany  him.  My  impression  is  that  dur 
ing  this  visit  the  family  inferred  that  he  was  much 
interested  in  some  lady,  but  who  the  particular  one 
was  he  did  not  disclose,  nor  was  there  any  intimation 
of  anything  of  so  serious  a  nature  as  matrimony  con- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    203 

templated.  The  first  letter  to  my  mother  after  leav 
ing"  our  home  was  written  from  the  Rockbridge  Alum 
Springs  of  date : 

August  3,  1853. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  arrived  here  yesterday  in  good  health  and  expect 
to  leave  for  the  North  this  evening  via  Lexington.  There 
are  about  five  hundred  visitors  here  at  present,  and  the 
accommodations  are  nearly  exhausted  ;  and  in  a  few  days 
it  is  quite  probable  that  persons  will  from  necessity  be 
turned  off.  I  hope  that  Stark 1  has  quite  recovered. 
Remember  me  very  kindly  to  all  the  family,  and  to  all 
other  inquiring  relatives  and  friends.  ...  I  am 
scarce  of  paper.  Tell  Miss  Eliza 2  that  she  must  be  on 
the  lookout  for  something  in  relation  to  me,  and  in 
reference  to  which  she  called  my  attention. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     Say  to  Dr.  B that  I  did    not  hand  in  the 

list  for  John  because  of  its  having  already  been  done. 

As  remarked  in  the  opening  sentence  of  the  last 
letter,  "  I  expect  to  leave  for  the  North  this  evening 
via  Lexington."  This,  taken  in  connection  with  the 
message  for  the  maiden  friend  contained  in  the  clos 
ing  paragraph,  was  not  sufficient  to  give  intimation 
to  the  sister  of  what  was  in  contemplation.  His  stop 
over  in  Lexington  was  of  short  duration,  long  enough, 
however,  for  the  ceremony  uniting  him  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Eleanor  Junkin,  the  attractive  and  highly 
cultured  daughter  of  the  Reverend  Dr.  George  Junkin, 

1  My  brother.— T.  J.  A.  2  A  maiden  friend  of  the  family. 


204:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

president  of  Washington  College,  located  at  Lexing 
ton.  The  bride  was  a  most  lovely,  amiable  and  ac 
complished  lady,  who  won  the  hearts  of  all  with 
whom  she  came  in  contact.  I  distinctly  remember 
the  visit  of  the  uncle  and  his  wife  the  following 
summer  of  1854  to  the  home  of  my  parents,  and 
how  all  the  family  were  delighted  and  charmed  with 
the  uncle's  bride.  It  would  seem  that  Miss  Junkin 
had  exacted  a  promise  from  Major  Jackson  to  dis 
close  to  no  one  the  fact  of  the  contemplated  mar 
riage,  which  she  intended  should  be  a  surprise  to  all 
except  her  immediate  family ;  and  in  his  strict  con 
ception  of  the  sanctity  of  his  word  he  extended  the 
obligation  to  include  his  sister,  and  the  failure  to  in 
form  her  of  the  expected  event  proved  a  sore  wound 
to  her  feelings,  and  one  that  was  slow  in  the  healing. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Preston  Allan,  in  writing  of  Major 
Jackson's  first  wife,  thus  describes  her :  "  Eleanor 
was  only  a  few  years  younger  than  Margaret  (her 
sister,  Mrs.  Preston,  the  poetess)  and  the  two  sisters 
had  be*en  devoted  and  inseparable  friends,  dressing 
alike,  walking  and  riding  together,  sharing  the  same 
room,  the  same  duties,  the  same  recreations.  Elea 
nor  was  less  shy  than  Margaret.  .  .  .  She  also 
had  more  pretensions  to  beauty,  and  was  of  a  mer 
rier,  more  social  disposition.  .  .  .  Her  religious 
faith,  having  the  simplicity  of  a  trustful  child,  .  *  . 
made  her  one  of  the  sunniest,  happiest  of  beings. 
This  brightness  of  temper,  and  a  calm,  clear  judg 
ment,  Eleanor  inherited  from  her  lovely  mother  ;  and 
these  gracious  qualities  made  Margaret  the  more  de- 


MISS  ELEANOR  JUNKIN, 
Jackson's  first  wife. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    205 

pendent  upon  her  sister."  l  A  number  of  letters  of 
this  period  are  evidently  missing,  as  the  first  one 
following  his  marriage  was  written  several  weeks 
after  his  return  to  Lexington  and  bears  date  Oc 
tober  19,  1853. 

MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Some  time  since,  when  Mr.  Tanner,  the  daguer- 
rean,  was  passing  through  here  on  his  way  to  Beverley,  I 
availed  myself  of  his  kindness  to  send  you  and  Grace  and 
Thomas  the  little  purchases  which  I  made  last  summer, 
and  I  hope  that  they  reached  you  safely.  I  should  have 
sent  father's  miniature  also,  but  upon  reflection  thought 
it  would  be  better  to  defer  doing  so  until  a  more  favor 
able  opportunity  should  present  itself.  I  hope  that  Mr. 
Tanner  called  to  see  you ;  he  is  a  very  worthy  person 
and  one  in  whose  integrity  I  have  much  confidence. 
The  weather  here  is  beautiful,  and  I  am  enjoying  life. 
To  me  my  wife  is  a  great  source  of  happiness.  She  has 
those  requisites  of  which  I  used  to  speak  to  you,  and 
sends  her  love  to  you.  Tell  Mrs.  Hille  that  I  have  not 
yet  learned  the  result  of  the  application,  but  that  it  shall 
be  followed  up  until  some  answer  shall  be  obtained.  In 
my  last  letter  I  spoke  of  being  in  Philadelphia.  We  re 
mained  there  from  Saturday  until  Monday,  when  we 
proceeded  to  West  Point,  where  I  was  delighted  with  my 
early  associations  ;  the  beautiful  plain,  the  frowning  ruins 
of  Fort  Putnam,  the  majestic  river,  and  magnificent 
scenery  all  conspired  to  enhance  my  happiness,  which 
had  already  been  of  a  high  order.  The  ladies2  also 

1  "  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters." 

*  His  wife  and  her  sister,  Miss  Maggie  Junkin,  afterwards  Mrs.  J.  T.  L. 
Preston,  who  accompanied  the  newly  weds  on  their  bridal  trip. — T.  J.  A, 


206  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

were  much  pleased  with  it.  After  remaining  there  until 
about  twelve  o'clock  next  day,  we  resumed  our  route  for 
Niagara  Falls.  This  of  all  natural  curiosities  is  the  most 
sublime  and  imposing  which  has  ever  come  under  my 
observation.  We  put  up  at  the  Cataract  House,  which 
is  on  the  American  side,  and  the  next  morning  crossed 
over  to  Goat's  Island  which  separates  the  Falls  into  two 
parts ;  that  part  on  the  east  of  the  island  is  called  the 
American  Falls,  and  that  on  the  west  side  the  Canadian. 
The  latter  is  much  the  larger,  by  reason  of  the  greater 
quantity  of  water  which  passes  down  on  this  side  of  the 
island.  The  Canadian  Falls  are  called  the  horseshoe, 
the  toe  being  up-stream.  When  looking  at  this  wonder 
of  nature  I  desired  to  be  left  to  my  own  uninterrupted 
thoughts.  It  lulls  the  mind  and  forbids  interruption.  It 
calls  for  its  entire  and  undivided  contemplation.  More 
of  this  in  my  next.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Mr. 
Arnold,  the  family  and  all  inquiring  relatives  and  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Le&ington,  Va.t  November  30,  1853. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  °. 

I  hope  that  upon  the  receipt  of  this  you  will  be 
induced  to  break  your  long  silence.  Do  not  think  that 
because  I  am  married  that  I  would  not  be  glad  to  re 
ceive  a  letter  from  you.  I  am  going  to  the  wedding  of 
one  of  my  old  bachelor  friends  this  evening ;  his  name 
is  Massie,  a  graduate  of  the  Virginia  Military  Institute. 
The  lady  is  Miss  Sophonisba  B.  McDowell,  daughter 
of  the  late  Governor  McDowell.  At  present  my  health 
is  affected  by  a  cold  in  the  head ;  but  to  such  things  in 
my  own  case  I  attach  but  little  importance,  for  with  care 
they  are  broken  up  in  a  few  days.  My  wife  is  in  goodi 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    207 

health,  and  sends  her  love  to  you  and  the  family. 
Things  here  are  working  smoothly ;  the  weather  is  fine, 
and  I  am  much  pleased  with  the  coming  prospects.  Give 
my  love  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  the  rest  of  the  family.  Tell 

Mrs.  H that  I  saw  the  gentleman  to  whom  I  made 

application  in  her  case  but  a  few  days  since,  and  that  he 
said  he  had  not  been  able  to  do  anything  for  her  as  yet. 
.  .  .  Tell  her  not  to  be  too  sanguine  about  success 
for  fear  that  she  may  be  disappointed.  In  my  opinion 
something  will  be  done.  I  believe  at  the  close  of  my 
last  letter  I  was  making  some  remarks  upon  Niagara, 
and  had  probably  finished  them.  After  leaving  there 
we  proceeded  in  a  carriage  down,  and  in  view  of,  the 
Niagara  River  for  a  few  miles  to  Lewiston,  where  we 
took  a  steamer  and  crossed  to  Lake  Ontario,  on  our  way 
to  the  St.  Lawrence  River ;  and  at  dawn  next  morning 
we  were  amid  a  cluster  of  islands,  called  The  Thousand 
Islands,  which  present  an  extremely  beautiful  aspect. 
And  they  are  probably  a  thousand  in  number,  some 
almost  covered  by  bare  and  rugged  rocks  and  crags, 
and  others  beautifully  varied  with  forests  of  northern 
growth.  I  enjoyed  the  scene  very  much.  During  the 
day  we  passed  through  the  perilous  rapids  of  that  re 
markable  river.  In  passing  one  of  them  we  took  on 
board  a  special  pilot  of  large  and  athletic  dimensions. 
After  thus  passing  a  very  pleasant  day,  we  arrived  safely 
at  Montreal.  To  be  remembered  to  all  inquiring  rel 
atives  and  friends  is  the  request  of  your  only  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  You  may  form  some  idea  of  one  of  the  rapids 
from  the  circumstance  that  though  we  were  on  a  high 
decked  steamer,  yet  the  spray  was  thrown  entirely  over 
her  prow  so  as  to  fall  upon  her  deck.  T.  J.  J. 


208  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Lexington ,  Va.t  February  14,  1853. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  long-looked-for  letter  arrived  at  last.  I 
hope  that  you  may  not  have  a  return  of  the  sore  mouth, 
but  that  you  may  be  blessed  with  better  health  than  in 

past  years.     It  is  very  singular  that  Mr.  T neglected 

to  give  the  things  intrusted  to  him ;  possibly  he  changed 
his  route  after  having  seen  me  and  did  not  pass  through 
Beverley.  I  wish  that  I  could  get  Tom  some  suitable 
books  here.  I  may  have  an  opportunity  of  getting  some 
by  the  time  that  any  person  from  this  place  goes  to 
Beverley.  I  send  you  a  lock  of  Ellie's  hair ;  this  she 
reluctantly  parts  with  because  of  its  color,  which  she 
hopes  may  prove  more  acceptable  to  your  taste  than  it 
has  ever  been  to  hers.  My  message  to  you  is  that  you 
must  prize  it  very  highly  as  being  the  token  of  a  sister's 
love  and  from  a  brother's  wife.  Send  us  a  lock  of  your 
hair,  and  also  one  from  Grace.  Tell  her  to  give  me  the 
prettiest  she  has,  so  that  I  may  look  at  it  when  I  am  so 
far  off  that  I  cannot  see  her  pretty  face.  Tell  her 
furthermore  that  I  have  told  her  aunt  that  Grace  is  very 
pretty,  and  her  conduct  must  be  as  good  as  her  face. 
Ellie  joins  me  in  love  to  you  and  the  family. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.t  March  4,  1854. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  kind  letter  was  gladly  received  and  read. 
Permit  me  to  congratulate  myself  upon  being  the  uncle 
of  another  niece  whom  I  hope  will  be  as  pretty  as 
Grace.  I  hope  that  you  will  accept  of  my  kindest  con 
gratulations  and  give  the  same  to  Mr.  Arnold.  As  yet 
I  have  heard  nothing  of  Mr.  Tanner.  I  hope  that  Mrs, 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    209 

Hille  is  improving  in  health.  I  am  anxious  about  her 
claim ;  no  recent  account  has  been  given  me  in  reference 
to  it.  Should  nothing  be  reported  to  me  before  summer 
I  shall  go  to  Staunton  in  person  and  see  about  it.  Until 
that  time  my  occupation  requires  me  to  be  at  the  Insti 
tute.  We  have  recently  been  called  to  mourn  the  death 
of  my  mother-in-law.  She,  without  any  apparent  un 
easy  concern,  passed  into  that  unseen  world,  where  the 
weary  are  at  rest.  Her  life  was  such  as  to  attract  around 
her  many  warm  friends,  and  if  she  had  any  enemy  in  this 
world,  it  was  and  continues  to  be  a  secret  to  me.  Hers 
was  a  Christian  life,  and  hers  was  a  Christian  death. 
She  had  been  afflicted  with  rheumatism  for  several 
months  previous  to  the  close  of  her  life,  and  on  Saturday 
preceding  her  death  she  had  the  return  of  a  malady 
which  had  formerly  afflicted  her.  On  the  23d  of  Feb 
ruary,  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  her  husband  told  her 
that  her  end  had  come ;  she  asked  how  long  she  could 
live ;  he  told  her  that  probably  two  or  three  hours,  and 
although  the  physicians  had  the  same  day  pronounced 
her  symptoms  favorable,  she  appeared  perfectly  recon 
ciled.  She  said  that  she  was  not  afraid  to  die,  and  that 
she  found  Jesus  precious  to  her  soul.  When  asked  by 
one  of  her  daughters  what  they  should  do  without  her, 
she  replied  that  the  Lord  -would  provide.  She  was 
strongly  attached  to  her  family  and  they  to  her ;  yet  she 
appeared  to  have  no  concern  about  what  would  become 
of  herself  or  family,  such  was  her  complete  confidence 
in  the  promises  of  the  Bible.  She  felt  assured  that  God 
would  provide  for  her  family,  and  she  felt  that  she  was 
going  to  her  Saviour,  with  whom  she  expected  to  enjoy 
unending  happiness.  She  asked  us  to  kiss  her  and  told 
her  children  to  live  near  to  Jesus  and  to  be  kind  to  one 


210  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

another.  Her  death  was  no  leaping  into  the  dark.  She 
died  in  the  bright  hope  of  an  unending  immortality  of 
happiness.  .  .  .  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  each 
member  of  the  family.  My  wife  sends  her  love  also. 
Remember  me  to  all  inquiring  relatives  and  friends. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington ,  Va.t  April  7,  1854.. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

As  I  received  your  letter  day  before  yesterday 
and  was  desirous  of  answering  it  by  the  return  mail  I 
could  only  say  a  few  words.  I  am  not  certain  whether 
the  physician  mentioned  in  your  letter  was  the  same 
whom  I  have  heard  of  as  the  lecturer  in  the  north  or 
not  ;  if  he  is,  as  I  before  stated,  I  should  not  much  ad 
mire  his  character ;  though  he  might  be  a  good  doctor 
notwithstanding.  Yet  I  would  not  like  such  a  man  for 
my  physician  if  I  could  get  a  good  one  whose  moral 
character  would  receive  my  approbation.  If  this  is  not 
the  lecturer  I  know  nothing  about  him.  I  hope  that  by 
the  time  you  receive  this  that  your  health  will  have 
much  improved.  ...  I  received  a  letter  a  few  days 
since  from  Aunt  Clementine  Neale ;  she  and  Uncle 
Alfred1  had  been  south  to  see  Uncle  Thornton2  and 
Wirt ; 3  but  a  short  time  before  they  reached  Uncle  Thorn 
ton's,  Wirt  had  gone  to  California.  She  tells  me  that 
Wirt  is  a  very  tall  man  and  Uncle  Thornton  has  a  very 
high  opinion  of  him.  Uncle  Minor's 4  wife  lost  her  last 
husband  in  New  Orleans  some  months  since,  and  she  is 

1  Mr.  Alfred  Neale,  a  brother  of  his  mother. 

3  Mr.  Thornton  Neale,  residing  in  Indiana,  a  brother  of  his  mother. 

3  Wirt  Woodson,  his  half-brother. 

4  Mr.  Minor  Neale,  a  deceased  brother  of  his  mother. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON     211 

consequently  again  thrown  upon  her  father's  protection. 
I  have  also  received  a  letter  from  Uncle  John  White ; 
his  health  has  improved,  and  that  of  his  family  is  gen 
erally  good.  Uncle  George  White's  family  at  last  ac 
counts  was  well.  .  .  .  Let  me  hear  from  you  soon. 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.t  May  2,  1854.. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  chanced  to  be  at  the  hotel  yesterday  when 
Dr.  White  was  passing  through  town  and  was  much 
pleased  at  meeting  him.  It  served  to  some  extent  the 
purpose  of  seeing  you,  as  I  thereby  had  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  some  one  who  had  recently  been  with  my  sister. 
He  told  me  that  you  had  written  to  me,  and  after  the 
post-office  had  opened  I  received  the  letter.  The  Mass l 
of  which  you  speak  I  would  send  to  you  had  the  doctor 
not  have  procured  it  before  seeing  me ;  he  told  me  that 
he  had  found  it  in  the  shop  of  some  doctor  as  he  was 
coming  to  Lexington.  Should  you  wish  any  more  at  any 
time  let  me  know,  and  I  will  procure  it  for  you.  I  do 
hope  that  little  Tom  is  free  from  that  dreadful  disease, 
the  scrofula.  I  trust  that  your  apprehensions  may  prove 
groundless ;  but  it  is  always  best  to  be  wide  awake  and 
not  permit  ourselves  to  be  taken  by  surprise.  I  hope 
that  your  health  may  continue  to  improve.  The  poor 
little  babe — what  can  be  the  matter  with  it  ?  I  suppose 
that  is  difficult  to  decide  in  so  young  a  child,  but  let  us 
hope  for  the  best  while  we  continue  to  be  prepared  for 
the  worst.  Ellie's  face  has  not  entirely  recovered,  but  I 

1  Rock  strongly  impregnated  with  alum  which,  placed  in  a  vessel  con 
taining  water,  soon  imparts  that  property  to  the  water.  At  the  period  in 
which  this  letter  was  written  it  was  much  used  by  invalids. 


212  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

am  of  the  opinion  that  time  will  effect  a  perfect  restora 
tion.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  all 
the  inquiring  relatives  and  friends.  Tell  Thomas  and  the 
other  children  that  I  love  them  and  that  they  must  be 
good  children.  Ellie  joins  me  in  love  to  you  all. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     Tell  Thomas  that  I  am  sorry  that  he  is  sick  and 
that  I  wish  that  I  could  do  something  for  him. 

T.  J.  J. 

Lexington,  Va.tjune  12,  1854.. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  sorrowful  letter  came  safe.  Your  loss  is  one 
which  I  have  never  been  called  upon  to  bear  up  under  ; 
I  can  well  conceive  of  the  tender  union  which  is  thus 
sundered.  You  have  my  sympathy.  ...  I  have 
committed  the  hair  to  Ellie's  keeping.  I  am  not  certain 
that  we  will  come  to  Beverley  this  summer,  though, 
should  we  do  so,  I  will  write  to  you  beforehand.  I  am 
glad  to  hear  that  the  other  children  are  doing  so  well. 
Enclosed  is  the  ribbon.  I  hope  that  it  will  please  you. 
It  was  the  prettiest  that  Ellie  could  find.  Should  there 
be  any  other  articles  that  I  can  procure  you,  it  will  give 
me  pleasure  to  do  so.  I  am  not  certain  about  my  elec 
tion,  but  be  the  result  as  it  may,  my  friends  have  acted 
nobly  in  my  cause.  I  am  very  much  pressed  at  this  time 
with  studies  and  letter  writing,  though  a  few  more  weeks 

will  close  our  session.     Tell  Dr.  B that  his  son  is  in 

good  health.  All  of  my  wife's  family  are  at  home  now, 
with  the  exception  of  one  brother,  who  is  in  Pennsyl 
vania.  .  .  .  One  of  her  brothers  who  is  a  lawyer  in 
Philadelphia  has  brought  home  his  bride,  having  married 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    213 

last  Thursday.     I   am   endeavoring   to   get   an   answer 

about  Mrs.  H 's  money,  and  if  I  do  not  get  it  soon,  I 

shall  go  and  see  about  it  in  person,  and  will  have  the 
matter  settled  either  one  way  or  the  other.  Remember 
me  to  her  and  to  all  my  other  friends. 

Your  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

P.  S.     Remember  me  very  kindly  to  each  member 
of  the  family  and  my  other  relatives. 


XV 
HOME  LIFE—  Continued  (1854-1855) 

THE  last  preceding  letter  to  his  sister,  one  of 
consolation,  was  written  by  Major  Jackson 
in  reply  to  a  letter  received  by  him  from 
her  conveying  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  her 
youngest  child,  in  infancy.  The  election  mentioned 
in  the  same  letter  has  reference  to  a  vacancy  which 
had  occurred  in  the  Chair  of  Mathematics  at  the 
University  of  Virginia  in  consequence  of  the  death 
of  Professor  Courtenay.  Major  Jackson  was  an 
applicant  for  the  vacant  professorship.  Whether  for 
the  reason  that  the  position  sought  was  more  re 
munerative  than  the  one  he  then  filled,  or  for 
other  reasons  not  disclosed,  be  that  as  it  may,  the 
efforts  of  his  friends,  though  they  forcefully  presented 
and  urged  his  election,  were  unsuccessful,  as  will 
appear  later,  and  he  continued  to  occupy  his  chair  at 
the  Institute.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the 
failure  to  obtain  this  professorship  at  the  university 
had  quite  a  bearing  on  his  subsequent  career.  A 
transfer  at  that  date  to  an  institution  entirely  the 
opposite  of  anything  military,  and  a  continuance  in 
that  position  for  the  years  intervening  between  that 
time  and  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  War,  would 
have  so  completely  eliminated  Major  Jackson  from 
the  military  arm  of  the  state  that  it  is  not  at  all  likely 

214 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    215 

that  his  name  would  have  been  as  much  to  the  fore 
as  it  was  when  hostilities  commenced.  As  the  situ 
ation  was,  he  was  identified  with  the  Military  Depart 
ment  of  his  state,  the  Virginia  Military  Institute. 
He  had  been  ordered  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  Charles- 
town,  in  command  of  the  cadets,  in  the  John  Brown 
affair.  This  had  aided  in  keeping  him  in  the  public 
mind  as  a  military  man ;  and  wherever  his  name  was 
mentioned,  it  caused  to  be  revived  the  very  creditable 
and  flattering  reputation  gained  by  him  in  Mexico ; 
so  that  when  the  Civil  War  came,  so  soon  following 
the  John  Brown  insurrection,  he  was  ordered  to  the 
capital  at  Richmond  with  the  cadets.  And  there  in 
the  excitement  of  the  times  he  appeared  on  the  scene 
as  one  of  the  prominent  military  men  of  the  state, 
one  who  had  not  only  a  most  thorough  military 
education,  but  actual  experience  in  war ;  and  who 
had  been  in  constant  training  and  study  in  this,  his 
chosen  profession,  ever  since. 

He  was  at  once  selected  and  assigned  to  an  im 
portant  independent  command.  It  is  hardly  con 
ceivable  that  such  action  would  have  been  taken  in 
the  case  of  a  quiet  reticent  professor  at  an  institution 
of  the  character  of  the  University  of  Virginia.  Un 
questionably,  his  services  would  have  been  placed  at 
the  disposal  of  his  state,  and  have  been  accepted, 
and  he  without  doubt  would  ultimately  have  gained 
distinction.  But  with  equal  certainty  one  may  feel 
assured  there  would  have  been  no  such  opportunity 
as  was  in  fact  presented.  Major  Jackson  doubtless 
saw  in  the  result — if  not  at  the  time,  later  on  in  life — 


216  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

another  manifestation  of  Divine  Providence  in  his 
behalf.  His  defeat  was  received  cheerfully  and  with 
out  question  but  that  it  was  for  his  good. 

In  connection  with  the  application  of  Major  Jack 
son  for  the  vacant  chair  of  mathematics  at  the 
University  of  Virginia,  the  name  of  General  Robert 
E.  Lee  appears  for  the  first  time  as  associated  in  any 
way  with  Jackson's  career.  Lee,  who  was  ever  care 
ful  and  prudent  in  whatever  he  did,  recommended 
Jackson  for  election  to  this  position.  This  would  in 
dicate  that  they  had  known  a  good  deal  of  each 
other,  most  probably  in  Mexico.  And  later  as  evinc 
ing  a  like  confidence  in  Lee  and  high  estimate  of  his 
ability,  Jackson  in  a  letter  from  Richmond  of  date 
April  23,  1861,  when  it  became  known  that  General 
Scott  would  remain  with  the  United  States  army, 
wrote,  "  It  is  understood  that  General  Lee  is  to  be  com- 
mander-in-chief ;  I  regard  him  as  a  better  officer  than 
General  Scott."  l  And  then,  at  a  still  later  period, 
"  That  Lee  was  the  only  man  he  would  be  willing  to 
follow  blindfold."  In  the  above  estimate  of  Lee  Jack 
son  was  only  voicing  what  was  later  public  sentiment. 

Lee,  who  has  been  so  aptly  compared  to  Marcus 
Aurelius,  will,  for  all  future  time,  or  as  long  as  civili 
zation  exists,  be  held  up  to  the  human  race  as  a 
model  for  mankind,  in  ability,  in  grace  of  person,2 
in  poise  and  in  purity  and  nobility  of  character. 

1(1  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life,  etc." 

9  General  Robert  E.  Lee  was  by  far  the  handsomest  man  I  ever  saw. 
I  have  heard  many  persons  express  a  similar  opinion.  I  have  never  heard 
any  one  say  that  they  ever  saw  as  handsome  a  man. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    217 

In  tracing  Lee's  lineage  one  cannot  but  wonder 
what  manner  of  man  was  William  Randolph  of  Tur 
key  Island,  Virginia,  the  progenitor  of  such  a  trio  as 
Chief  Justice  Marshall,  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Robert 
E.  Lee.1  What  a  combination  and  what  a  diversifi 
cation  of  intellect. 

To  the  delight  of  our  family  Major  Jackson  and 
his  wife  concluded  to  spend  the  summer  vacation 
with  my  parents,  as  will  appear  from  the  following 
note: 

Lexington,  Va.,July  /,  1854.. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Ellie  and  myself  hope  to  be  with  you  this  day  week 

Saturday.     I  wish  you  would  say  to  Mrs.  H that 

I  have  failed  in  my  efforts  to  procure  her  any  assistance. 
I  much  regret  this.  I  do  not  know  of  any  person  belong 
ing  to  the  Staunton  Lodge  who  would  have  been  more 
likely  of  success  than  Mr.  Watts,  the  gentleman  to  whom 
I  entrusted  it.  Excuse  this  hasty  note  as  I  am  much 
pressed  with  business.  Mr.  Bledsoe,  of  Kentucky,  was 
elected  at  the  university  to  the  chair  for  which  I  was  a 
candidate.  Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     MY  DEAR  LAURA  : 

The  Major  is  so  busy  with  his  duties  at  the  Insti 
tute  that  he  has  commissioned  me  to  finish  this  letter  for 
him ;  indeed  I  have  scarcely  seen  him  to-day.  He  wishes 
me  to  say  to  you  that  he  hopes  you  will  not  exert  your 
self  by  making  any  preparations  to  receive  us ;  he  does 

1  On  the  authority  of  the  late  Hon.  J.  Ran.  Tucker,  of  Virginia.  After 
wards  confirmed  by  the  well-known  genealogist,  the  late  Mr.  Wilson 
Miles  Carey,  of  Baltimore. 


218  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

not  want  you  to  weary  yourself  or  injure  your  health  on 
our  account.  The  weather  is  so  extremely  warm  just 
now  that  we  quite  fear  the  ride  in  the  stage,  but  we  hope 
to  find  it  cooler  further  among  the  mountains. 

Yours  affectionately, 

ELLIE  J.  JACKSON. 

The  uncle  and  aunt  arrived  at  our  home  in  Bever- 
ley  as  indicated,  and  remained,  as  I  now  recall,  until 
sometime  in  August.  A  period  now  came  in  Major 
Jackson's  life  where  his  faith  and  trust  in  God  was 
subjected  to  its  strongest  tension.  To  a  man  of  his 
temperament  and  nature,  his  love  was  intense.  To 
have  the  object  of  this  love  torn  from  him  without 
warning  was  a  death  blow  to  him,  save  for  his  im 
plicit  childlike  trust  in  his  God.  No  one  will  ever 
know  the  weight  of  that  blow,  and  the  veil  should 
not  be  lifted  that  concealed  the  wound.  He  met  and 
bore  this  great  affliction  with  his  accustomed  forti 
tude,  and  was  nearer,  as  a  result,  could  that  be 
possible,  to  his  Creator.  It  is  related  "  That  his  grief 
was  so  great  as  to  seriously  alarm  his  friends.  Yet 
even  then  he  was  most  anxious  not  to  sin  by  ques 
tioning  in  his  heart  the  wisdom  and  rectitude  of  God's 
dealings  with  him.  For  a  long  time  his  taste  for 
secular  occupations  and  pleasures  was  lost,  and  his 
only  aspirations  pointed  to  the  other  world."  1  His 
subsequent  letters  to  his  sister  and  other  relatives 
fully  confirm  the  above  statement.  As  illustrative  of 
his  complete  resignation,  the  following  quotation  is 

i  Dabney. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    219 

given  from  a  letter  written  by  him  to  his  wife's  sister 
(later  Mrs.  Preston),  of  date  February  14,  1855  :  "  My 
dear  sister,  from  my  heart  I  thank  God  that  though 
He  has  left  me  to  mourn  in  human  desolation  He  has 
taken  dear  Ellie  to  Himself.  I  am  well  assured  that 
He  left  her  with  us  to  the  latest  moment  consistent 
with  His  glory,  hers,  yours,  and  my  happiness.  For 
no  good  thing  will  He  withhold  from  His  children."  l 
Several  of  the  letters  written  following  the  return 
of  Major  Jackson  and  his  wife  to  Lexington  have 
been  lost.  The  first  of  those  preserved  is  dated  : 

Lexington,  Va.t  November  14,  1854.. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

You  must  excuse  this  short  letter  and  also  my 
not  having  written  to  you  at  an  earlier  day,  for  my  eyes 
have  become  so  bad  as  to  make  me  very  careful  with 
them.  You  wrote  to  me  that  should  your  health  not 
prevent  your  coming  to  see  me,  that  I  might  have  ex 
pected  your  arrival  several  days  since.  I  went  to  the 
hotel  to  see  whether  you  had  attempted  such  a  journey. 
Though  I  would  like  to  see  you  and  appreciate  your 
very  sisterly  affection,  yet  I  would  not  like  for  you  to 
attempt  coming  over  such  a  road,  with  all  its  harass- 
ments ;  so  do  not  attempt  it.  When  my  next  vacation 
will  enable  me  to  leave  (which  I  cannot  do  now  without 
neglecting  my  duties)  I  trust  that  God  will  again  permit 
me  to  see  your  face.  My  dear  Ellie  thought  to  pass 
over  the  stage  route  from  here  to  Beverley  was  a  hard 
undertaking  for  her ;  after  she  had  returned  home,  she 
was  pleased  with  her  visit.  She  has  now  gone  on  a 

l"  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters,"  page  74, 


220  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

glorious  visit,  though  through  a  gloomy  portal.  Her 
companions  are  of  the  Glorified  Host.  I  look  forward 
with  delight  to  the  day  when  I  shall  join  her. 

Religion  is  all  that  I  desire  it  to  be.  I  am  reconciled 
for  my  loss  and  have  joy  and  hope  of  a  future  reunion 
where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  the  weary 
are  at  rest.  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind 
desire  to  come  and  stay  with  Ellie. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington^  Va.,  February  20,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  learned  with  pleasure  that  your  health  has 
improved  and  I  hope  that  you  may  not  for  many  a  day 
to  come  have  to  take  any  more  medicine.  I  have  gone 
to  both  of  our  bookstores  but  in  neither  one  could  be 
found  the  books  which  you  require.  If  you  desire  it 
and  will  let  me  know  I  will  get  one  of  our  merchants, 
when  in  Philadelphia  next  month,  to  get  them  if  they 
are  to  be  had.  The  spelling  book  is  here,  but  the  others 
— I  doubt  whether  they  will  ever  be  here,  unless  spe 
cially  ordered.  I  have  just  written  to  Wirt ; '  I  ought  to 
have  done  so  some  time  since,  but  have  been  prevented 
by  my  eyes.  He  is  at  Mount  Vernon,  Ind.,  where  he 
recently  returned  from  California.  He  saw  hard  times 
and  was  glad  to  get  back  even  with  his  life,  though  he 
brought  some  money.  My  eyes  are  improving,  but  still 
I  have  to  be  careful  with  them ;  the  spots  continue  to 
float  before  them.  I  am  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind 
suggestion  not  to  hurt  them  even  in  writing  to  you. 
Maggie  has  been  in  Philadelphia  for  about  three  months 

i  His  half-brother. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    221 

for  her  health.1  Is  there  anything  of  dear  Ellie's  which 
you  would  like  to  have — her  pencil,  her  glasses,  or  any 
thing  else  ? 

Love  to  all,  your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 


Lexington,  Va.t  March  20,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  some  time  since  received  a  letter  from  Wirt  in 
which  he  stated  that  he  was  at  Uncle  Alfred  Neale's, 
and  that  he  intended  going  to  your  house  as  soon  as  the 
weather  should  settle.  He  requested  me  to  answer  him 
immediately,  directing  my  letter  to  him  at  Beverley.  I 
at  once  replied,  and  I  suppose  that  the  letter  has  reached 
its  destination  ere  this.  He  writes  a  good  hand  and  a 
sensible  letter.  He  expresses  his  intention  of  going  to 
California,  or  his  desire  to  do  so.  This  I  hope  he  will 
relinquish.  I  am  inclined  to  the  belief  that  he  would 
probably  do  as  well  by  making  civil  engineering  his  pro 
fession  as  at  anything  else  to  which  he  could  turn  his 
attention  under  present  circumstances.  But  of  this  I 
cannot  speak  definitely.  He  must  judge  of  this  for  him 
self.  Try  and  get  him  to  stay  with  you  if  you  can  until 
I  come.  And  get  him  to  study  arithmetic,  geography 
and  history ;  and  for  this  purpose  lend  him  Rollin's 
"Ancient  History."  If  Wirt  will  study  Latin  I  will 
give  him  lessons  during  the  summer,  and  put  him  in  the 
way  of  learning  it,  so  that  he  can  teach  Thomas.  I  will 
also,  if  he  will  consent  to  do  so,  give  him  instruction  in 
the  different  sciences  of  algebra,  geometry,  and  in  en 
gineering  and  other  branches  of  education,  and  bring 

*Miss  Margaret  Junkin,  later  Mrs.  Preston,  the  poetess,  and  sister  of 
his  late  wife. 


222  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

with  me  the  necessary  books.  If  he  thinks  that  it  will 
take  up  too  much  time  for  this  kind  of  an  education  he 
can  take  enough  for  an  engineer  in  the  course  of  a  few 
months.  He  can  then  commence  the  practice  on  some 
of  our  internal  improvements.  I  have  an  idea  that  he 
might  succeed  well  in  this  sphere  of  life.  He  could, 
whilst  practising  his  profession,  make  himself  a  good 
historian,  but  it  would  be  the  safer  plan  to  get  a  good 
education  before  he  commences.  I  hope  that  for  the 
present  Wirt  will  conclude  to  teach,  and  then  he  can, 
as  he  progresses  with  his  education,  decide  on  his  pro 
fession.  I  am  anxious  to  know  as  soon  as  practicable 
his  determination.  I  think  that  the  plan  of  staying  in 
Beverley  and  taking  up  a  school  is  the  proper  one  for 
him,  if  all  things  are  favorable  to  it,  so  far  as  obtaining 
Mr.  Arnold's  approbation  and  a  moderate  school.  I 
send  you  two  styles  of  writing  but  I  would  not  advise 
the  use  of  but  one.  If  you  would  let  me  know  which 
you  have  selected  I  can  send  you  on  others  when 
wanted.  I  bought  four  papers  of  seed  but  can  only 
find  three.  If  you  will  name  the  kind  of  seed  you  want 
I  think  that  I  can  probably  get  them,  for  there  is  a 
variety  here,  but  I  am  unable  to  select  for  fear  that  you 
may  have  them  or  that  they  will  not  suit  your  taste. 
Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Wirt  when  he  arrives, 
to  Mr.  A  -  ,  to  all  the  family  and  to  all  inquiring 
friends  and  relatives. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 


Lexington^  Va.,  April  4, 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  of  the  3<Dth  ult.  and  Thomas's  came 
by  this  day's  mail.     .     .     .     Wirt  told  me  in  his  letter 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    223 

that  he  was  not  qualified  for  any  occupation  except  farm 
ing  and  that  he  did  not  have  the  means  for  this.  I 
therefore  make  two  offers  to  him :  one  is  to  purchase  a 
farm  worth  a  thousand  dollars  and  let  him  go  on  it  and 
have  all  that  he  can  make ;  the  other  is  a  system  of  edu 
cation  which  I  have  already  stated  to  you.  Now,  if  you 
could  let  him  know  this  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  ac 
ceptable  to  him,  I  wish  you  to  do  so.  If  you  think  that 
such  cannot  be  done  then  let  me  know  it.  He  ought  not 
to  feel  hurt  at  any  assistance  which  I  offer  to  give  him, 
because  he  is  my  brother.  Should  he  conclude  to  go  on 
the  farm  I  want  him  to  read  during  his  spare  time,  and 
having  a  good  memory  he  can  become  a  good  historian. 
Should  he  prefer  going  on  a  farm  I  think  it  would  be 
well  to  select  one  in  such  a  location  as  will  enable  him 
easily  to  dispose  of  his  produce.  He  might  in  a  few 
years  be  able  to  refund  the  money  and  I  would  not 
charge  him  any  interest.  I  have  not  got  a  thousand 
dollars  on  hand  now,  but  expect  to  have  in  a  few  months. 
Wirt  might  be  looking  him  out  a  suitable  farm  so  that 
when  I  come  West  we  could  go  together  and  see  it.  I 
am  sorry  that  your  eyes  are  so  much  impaired,  but  hope 
that  they  will  be  better  before  this  reaches  you.  I  will 
recommend  you  to  fill  a  basin  full  of  water,  and  put  your 
face  under  the  water,  and  hold  your  eyes  open  in  it  as 
long  as  you  can  hold  your  breath.  Just  do  this  once 
whenever  your  eyes  are  very  painful.  This  is  the  course 
which  I  am  now  pursuing.  I  do  it  about  six  times  a  day 
in  cold  water ;  and  the  water  should  be  as  cold  as  when 
just  drawn  from  the  well  or  taken  from  the  river.  My 
eyes  are  quite  bad  at  present.  Don't  write,  but  make 
Thomas  do  it  for  you.  I  will  be  glad  if  Wirt  would 
write  to  me.  Tell  Thomas  that  I  shall  answer  his  letter 


224  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

in  a  few  days.  And  that  I  am  very  thankful  to  him  for 
it.  Tell  him  that  I  am  much  pleased  with  his  good 
spelling.  I  sent  the  primer  and  reader  by  the  last  mail. 
Give  my  love  to  all  the  family  and  to  Wirt. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.tjune  /,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Day  before  yesterday  I  received  a  letter  from 
Wirt  written  at  Uncle  Alfred's.1  He  says  that  his 
health  has  improved  and  that  he  plowed  nearly  all  the 
preceding  day.  He  also  states  that  there  is  a  school  a 
short  distance  below  the  island  and  that  he  wants  to  go 
to  school  there  when  his  health  is  sufficiently  reestab 
lished.  He  says  that  he  likes  Mr.  Arnold  very  much 
and  that  you  treated  him  like  a  brother.  I  am  pleased 
with  his  letter  and  if  he  continues  at  Uncle  Alfred's  I 
want  to  visit  him  this  summer.  He  writes  plainly  and 
sensibly.  I  hope  that  before  this  you  have  recovered  at 
least  the  usual  use  of  your  eyes,  and  that  all  things  are 
moving  on  pleasantly.  How  is  Thomas  getting  along 
with  his  studies  ?  This  is  a  rainy  day  here,  but  is  rather 
brighter  than  it  was  early  in  the  morning.  I  have  re 
ceived  the  railing  for  dear  Ellie's  grave,  and  this  summer 
expect  to  take  steps  for  the  tombstones  to  be  brought 
from  Philadelphia.  I  intend  to  have  them  of  Italian 
marble.  The  iron  railing  is  neat  and  when  put  up  it  will 
be  about  three  feet  high.  Pure  and  lovely  companion  of 
my  happier  days,  I  feel  that  she  has  entered  upon  the 
blissful  enjoyment  of  which  the  human  mind  cannot  have 
a  clear  conception.  Ere  many  long  years  roll  by  I  hope 

1  His  Uncle  Alfred  Neale  of  near  Parkersburg. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    225 

to  be  with  her,  where  there  will  be  no  more  separation. 
We  loved  each  other  on  earth  ;  and  shall  that  love  be  dimin 
ished  in  eternity  ?  I  do  not  believe  it,  but  on  the  con 
trary  will  be  greatly  enhanced.  Had  I  one  request  on 
earth  to  ask  in  accordance  with  my  own  feelings  and 
apart  from  duty,  it  would  be  that  I  might  join  her  before 
the  close  of  another  day  after  this.  I  have  many  pleas 
ures  here,  but  I  believe  that  there  are  greater  in  reserve 
beyond  this  life.  If  you  want  me  to  bring  anything  in 
July,  let  me  know  in  your  next.  Give  my  love  to  all  the 
family,  and  to  all  inquiring  relatives  and  friends. 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 


Lexington,  Va.,  June  //, 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  wrote  to  Wirt  a  few  days  since  and  expressed 
my  intention  of  visiting  him  this  summer,  if  he  continues 
at  Uncle  Alfred's,  which  appeared  to  be  his  intention 
when  he  last  wrote  to  me,  unless  his  health  should 
sufficiently  recover  to  justify  him  in  going  to  school. 
From  his  daguerreotype  which  he  sent  me  I  think  that  I 
can  observe  a  likeness  to  Warren.1  I  want  you  to  secure 
the  services  of  some  one  for  fixing  me  up  some  shirts, 
and  to  commence  about  the  loth  of  July.  I  do  not  want 
anything  done  before  I  come  home,  as  I  want  to  have 
them  fixed  after  a  certain  way.  And  I  do  not  know 
whether  I  will  want  any  new  ones  or  not  until  I  see  you 
about  the  ones  which  I  already  have.  I  expect  to  leave 
here  on  the  5th  of  July  ;  and  if  the  arrangements  are  the 
same  as  when  dear  Ellie  and  I  visited  you,  I  shall  try  and 
be  with  you  before  the  close  of  the  week.  My  visit  does 

1  Warren  Jackson,  his  deceased  elder  brother. 


226  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

not  promise  the  pleasure  of  former  ones.  I  shall  see  so 
many  things  which  I  enjoyed  in  participation  with  Her. 
I  hope  that  you  are  all  perfectly  well.  Tell  Dr.  B  - 
that  I  saw  his  son  very  recently  and  that  he  looks  quite 
well.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  all  the  family,  and 
to  all  inquiring  relatives  and  friends. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

The  following  letter  represents  Major  Jackson  en 
gaged  in  a  pursuit  requiring  wisdom  of  a  different 
order  from  that  of  his  usual  routine  duty,  and  one 
from  which  the  ordinary  man  would  be  supposed  to 
shrink  with  a  feeling  akin  to  fear  and  trembling. 
Whether  he  carried  out  his  avowed  intentions  in  the 
matter  of  the  purchase  of  a  lady's  bonnet  is  not 
known.  One  can  only  form  a  conjecture  from  the 
course  ordinarily  pursued  by  him  in  other  matters, 
viz.,  that  he  usually  did  whatever  he  said  he  was 
going  to  do.  He  seems  to  have  had  no  fear  as  to 
the  proposed  purchase  giving  satisfaction,  his  only 
uneasiness  being  that  it  might  get  broken  in  trans 
portation.  The  letter  bears  date  : 


Lexington,  Va.,June  18, 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  postmarked  loth  instant  came  a  few 
days  ago.  .  .  .  Julia1  last  week  purchased  two 
collars  for  you,  but  she  could  not  find  a  suitable  belt.  I 
afterwards  went  in  search  of  one,  but  with  a  similar  re 
sult.  There  are  plenty  of  them  but  not  such  as  pleases 
me,  so  I  intend  postponing  the  purchase  until  I  reach 

1  His  deceased  wife's  sister,  afterwards  Mrs.  Fishburn. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    227 

Staunton.  I  could  get  a  bonnet,  but  I  am  afraid  that  it 
would  get  broken.  I  shall  think  it  over  when  I  am  in 
Staunton.  The  shawl  I  have  had  no  opportunity  as  yet 
of  sending  for.  I  shall  try  and  bring  you  some  slips  or 
cuttings  from  dear  Ellie's  flowers.  It  will  give  me  much 
pleasure  to  teach  Thomas  while  I  am  with  you.  .  .  . 
I  am  much  obliged  for  your  kindness  in  reference  to 
shirts,  but  don't  let  anything  be  touched  until  I  see  you. 
Wirt  has  not  written  since  your  last.  Remember  me 
very  kindly  to  Mrs.  Hille  and  Miss  Eliza  and  to  other 
inquiring  friends.  Give  my  love  to  all  the  family.  I 
hope  that  Aunt's  and  Cousin  John's  health  have  im 
proved. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 


XVI 
LEXINGTON,  VA.  (1855-1856) 

AT  the  close  of  the  session  at  the  Military  In 
stitute  for  the  academic  year,  1855,  Major 
Jackson  came  by  stage-coach  through  the 
mountains  to  our  home.  I  well  recall  his  visit  at 
this  time.  He  was  more  serious  in  manner  than  I 
had  ever  known  him.  I  was  too  young  to  fully 
realize  that  this  was  a  result  of  his  late  bereavement. 
He  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  vacation  with  our 
family.  Going  from  Beverley,  he  made  a  short  visit 
in  the  neighborhood  of  his  old  home  in  Lewis 
County,  among  his  boyhood  friends  and  relatives  ; 
he  visited  also  at  Clarksburg  and,  later,  with  his 
relatives  at  Parkersburg,  and  in  that  vicinity.  The 
following  letter  is  written  from  the  home  of  his  Uncle 
Alfred  Neale,  on  Neale's  Island  in  the  Ohio  River, 
located  some  four  miles  above  Parkersburg,  and  is 
dated  : 


Uncle  Alfred's,  August  iot 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

The  object  of  this  note  is  to  state  that  I  was  pre 
vented  from  going  on  the  Hall-place.  But  I  learn  that 
there  are  six  hundred,  thirty-seven  and  a  half  acres  to  be 
sold  on  the  2Oth  of  this  month.  This  land  is  composed 
of  the  Hall-place,  the  Schoolcraft  place,  and  the  Thorpe 

228 


JACKSON  THE  PROFESSOR AT  THE  VIRGINIA  MILI 
TARY    INSTITUTE. 

"  I    would    not    part    with    the    Bible    for    countless 
universes."     Page    198. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    229 

place,  none  of  which  I  wish  to  purchase.  It  is  estimated 
that  it  will  go  at  from  three  to  five  thousand  dollars,  and 
is  by  all  regarded  as  valuable  property.  As  my  eyes 
continue  weak  you  must  excuse  this  brief  letter.  Wirt 
sends  his  love  and  thanks  for  the  articles  of  clothing,  and 
says  that  he  wants  you  to  write  to  him ;  that  he  has  only 
received  one  short  note  from  you,  though  he  has  written 
several  letters.  Uncle's  family  are  in  usual  health. 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

From  Parkersburg  Major  Jackson  travelled  down 
the  Ohio  River  by  steamboat  to  Point  Pleasant, 
thence  up  the  Kanawha  River,  including  in  his  jour 
ney  the  last  home  of  his  mother  in  Fayette  County, 
recalling  no  doubt  to  his  mind  the  former  sad  visit 
of  himself  and  sister  in  their  childhood  to  their 
mother's  dying  bed.  From  this  point  he  continued 
by  stage-coach  to  Lexington.  The  first  letter  ad 
dressed  to  his  sister  after  his  return  to  his  duties  at 
the  Institute  is  dated : 

Lexington,  Va.,  September  3,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

As  my  eyes  are  still  troubling  me,  you  must  ex 
cuse  this  brief  note.  I  left  Wirt  on  Thursday,  of  week 
before  last,  with  the  understanding  that  he  would  start 
for  Missouri  on  the  following  Monday.  There  he  de 
signed  going  to  farming  on  some  land  which  I  expect  to 
purchase.  He  is  to  have  some  more  schooling  after  he 
gets  located,  and  I  hope  that  he  will  do  well.  He  was 
troubled  about  the  promise  which  he  made  you  of  paying 
you  a  visit.  I  advised  him  to  go  at  once  and  select  some 


230  EAKLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

place  where  he  would  like  to  live,  and  that  I  would  write 
to  you.  It  was  important  that  he  should  as  soon  as  prac 
ticable  get  fixed  in  some  pursuit.  His  mind  was  unset 
tled  and  flying  from  thing  to  thing.  And  it  appears  that 
the  course  he  was  prevailed  on  to  take  is  the  best  for 
him.  He  had  learned  but  very  little  at  school  previous 
to  my  going  to  the  river.  But  with  the  start  I  gave  him 
in  grammar  I  hope  that  he  will  become  a  good  gram 
marian.  I  want  him  to  study  spelling,  writing  and 
grammar.  I  hope  that  you  will  write  to  me  soon  ap 
proving  his  course  and  excusing  him  from  his  promise. 
I  felt  well  satisfied  that  you  would  do  so  when  I  coun 
selled  him  to  at  once  locate  himself.  Give  my  love  to  all 
the  family. 

Your  affectionate  brother. 

I 

Major  Jackson  was  very  much  concerned  about 
his  younger  half-brother  Wirt.  The  latter  upon  the 
death  of  their  mother,  which  occurred  at  or  near  the 
time  of  his  birth,  was  received  into  the  home  of  his 
mother's  brother,  Mr.  Alfred  Neale,  of  whom  there 
has  been  previous  mention,  and  made  his  home  with 
him  until  manhood.  In  his  early  childhood  he  got 
possession  of  some  buckeyes  or  horse-chestnuts,  con 
sidered  quite  poisonous,  and  of  which  there  were  a 
great  quantity  growing  in  a  wild  state  on  the  island 
where  his  uncle  resided.  The  child  ate  of  these  be 
fore  the  family  were  aware  of  what  he  was  doing. 
He  was  badly  poisoned  and  his  life  was  despaired 
of ;  and  although  he  recovered,  the  effects  therefrom 
were  apparent  for  many  years.  Whether  his  consti 
tution  was  permanently  impaired  thereby  or  not  is 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    231 

unknown.  Major  Jackson  was  anxious  to  aid  him 
in  every  way  possible.  This  half-brother  later  set 
tled  in  southern  Indiana,  and  became  a  successful 
business  man  and  respected  citizen,  but  died  at  a 
premature  age. 

In  the  introduction  mention  is  made  that  as  far 
back  as  the  years  1855-1856  Major  Jackson  in  his 
letters  to  his  sister  forecasted  the  war  between  the 
states.  The  reader  will  find  in  the  next  several  let 
ters  the  expressions  to  which  the  allusion  was  made. 

Lexington,  Va.t  October  6,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  of  the  2/th  of  September  came  safely 
and  am  obliged  to  you  for  your  advice  relative  to  Wirt. 
I  agree  with  you  in  regard  to  the  course  to  be  pursued. 
.  .  .  My  arrangement  as  to  the  purchase  of  land  is 
this  :  That  he  should  go  out  and  make  a  selection  of 
such  a  farm  as  would  fulfill  certain  conditions;  and 
previous  to  the  purchase,  the  transaction  must  be  ap 
proved  by  Uncle  Alfred  Neale,  in  the  event  of  his  being 
in  Missouri  at  the  time;  if  not,  then  Cousin  William 
Neale 1  must  approve  of  it.  I  have  received  a  letter  from 
Wirt  dated  September  ipth  in  which  he  states  that  he 
had  reached  William  Neale's,  but  in  going  up  the  Mis 
sissippi  River  the  boat  was  snagged,  and  he  left  his  berth 
to  go  forward,  leaving  his  purse  under  his  pillow,  and 
when  he  returned  it  was  gone.  He  says  that  the  coun 
try  is  very  healthy,  but  that  improved  land  is  worth  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  dollars  per  acre.  Cousin  William 
has  advised  him  to  go  elsewhere,  and  he  is  going  to  look 

1 A  resident  of  the  state  of  Missouri, 


EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

at  the  lands  of  Johnson  County.  He  expressed  himself 
pleased  with  the  country,  and  I  hope  that  he  may  do 
well.  /  do  not  want  him  to  go  into  a  free  state  if  it  can 
be  avoided ',  for  he  would  probably  become  an  abolitionist ; 
and  then  in  the  event  of  trouble  between  North  and  South 
he  would  stand  on  one  side,  and  we  on  the  opposite?  Tell 
Mr.  Arnold  that  next  year  I  want  to  go  West  and  make 
investments  in  land  and  would  be  glad  could  he  go  along 
and  make  some  purchases  for  himself  if  he  desires  to 
make  such.  .  .  .  Cousin  William  Neale  has  advised 
Wirt  to  do  as  you  recommended,  namely,  to  raise  stock ; 
and  I  suppose  that  he  will  do  so.  When  Wirt  shall  have 
purchased  land,  then  I  expect  to  furnish  him  some 
money  to  enable  him  to  work  it.  ...  I  agree  with 
him  that  land  in  a  free  state  rises  most  rapidly.  But  I 
have  a  scheme  on  hand  which  I  think  you  will  approve 
of  and  which  I  will  give  in  my  next. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  October,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  to  Wirt  appears  to  have  had  a  good 
influence  on  him,  such  as  to  relinquish  his  idea  of  return 
ing  to  Indiana ;  yet  he  has  gone  beyond  what  I  author 
ized  him  to  do  by  purchasing  a  farm  at  eight  dollars  per 
acre.  I  restricted  him  to  seven  at  most.  But,  notwith 
standing,  if  Cousin  William  Neale  will  approve  of  the 
bargain,  I  have  determined  to  advance  eleven  hundred 
dollars.  I  well  know  that  there  is  a  risk,  but  it  appears 
to  me  that  I  ought  to  run  this  risk  for  him.  He  made 
the  purchase  without  consulting  Cousin  William,  and  it 
1  Italics  supplied. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    233 

may  be  that  he  has  been  cheated.  I  have  written  to 
Uncle  Alfred  to  forward  between  seven  and  eight  hun 
dred  dollars  if  he  thinks  it  should  be  done,  but  with  the 
condition  that  the  contract  is  to  be  approved  by  Cousin 
William  and  the  deed  to  be  made  out  in  my  name.  Wirt 
says  that  he  has  paid  ninety-five  dollars  on  the  purchase 
money  by  selling  his  horse  to  the  person  from  whom  he 
purchased.  Mr.  Thomas 1  left  for  home  yesterday,  and  I 
left  at  the  house  where  he  was  staying  a  testament  for 
him  to  carry  to  Mrs.  Hille.  It  may  possibly  be  that  it 
was  not  delivered  to  him.  Please  let  me  know  whether 

Mrs.   H gets  it.     He  was  not  in  when  I  left  the 

book,  and  he  told  me  afterwards  that  he  had  not  received 
it ;  but  I  requested  him  to  ask  for  it  before  leaving.  Tell 
Mr.  Arnold  that  I  want  to  get  about  two  thousand  acres 
of  land  warrant ;  and  ask  him  whether  he  could  purchase 
me  any  if  I  were  to  forward  the  money,  and  at  about 
what  price  does  he  think  it  can  be  procured  ?  I  do  not 
want  to  make  any  purchases  until  after  Christmas,  as 
the  general  impression,  I  believe,  is  that  the  price  will  be 
lower  about  that  time ;  but  I  would  like  to  know  what  it 
is  worth  now.  Tell  him  that  my  intention  is  to  let  the 
land  lie  after  purchasing  it  for  a  number  of  years  without 
selling  it ;  and  that  as  the  lands  in  Kansas  2  are  less  culled 
over  than  those  in  the  free  states,  I  will  for  the  same 
amount  of  money  get  better  land ;  and  that  Kansas  will 
almost  certainly  be  a  free  state,  and  this  will  give  the  ad 
vantage  of  a  free  state  in  selling  should  I  years  hence 
wish  to  dispose  of  them.  Ask  him  what  he  thinks  of 
these  views.  Tell  him  that  I  have  been  told  that  there 
is  considerable  good  land  in  Illinois  still  unappropriated, 

1  Rev.  Enoch  Thomas,  who  resided  at  Beverley. 

2  Kansas,  at  the  time  of  the  writing  of  this  letter,  was  a  territory. 


234  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

and  if  so,  I  want  to  lay  warrants  on  some  of  it,  as  it 
must  ultimately  command  a  high  price.  I  hope  Mr. 
Campbell  *  will  come  on  and  that  you  will  be  able  to  keep 
him.  Aunt  Clem  told  me  in  a  recent  letter  that  soon 
after  my  leaving  she  was  laid  up  from  exhausted  strength, 
but  that  she  intends  answering  your  letter.  She  was 
very  kind  to  me.  At  their  last  commencement  Charley 
and  Julia  took  prizes.2  William  Junkin,  my  youngest 
brother-in-law,  is  to  be  married  to-morrow  to  Miss  Anna 
Anderson,  a  lovely  and  pretty  girl.  Our  Synod  was  a 
delightful  assembly. 

Your  affectionate  brother. 

P.  S.  I  have  received  dear  Ellie's  tombstone  to-day. 
Enclosed  is  a  draft  of  the  headstone ;  it  has  a  full  blown 
rose  and  a  rosebud  on  the  top. 

Lexington,  Va.t  November  j,  1855. 

1  wish  that  you  would  not  omit  to  let  me  know  Mr. 
Arnold's  views  in  your  next,  and  whether  he  thinks  that 
he  will  go  with  me,  and  the  prospects  of  buying  say  one 
thousand  acres  of  land  warrant,  and  the  price  per  acre. 
I  wrote  to  James  Dix3  a  few  days  since,  and  in  reference 
to  his  putting  up  stones  at  brother  Warren's  grave ;  and 
I  wish  that  you  would  drop  him  a  line  as  soon  as  con 
venient,  giving  the  days  of  his  birth  and  death.     If  you 
have  my  letter  upon  the  subject  of  his  death  you  may 
find  one  of  the  dates  from  it.     I  got  Aunt  Katy  Will 
iams  4  to  go  with  me  to  father's  and  our  sister's  graves, 
and  made  arrangements  with  her  for  having  the  graves 
fixed  up,  so  far  as  renewing  the  earth  over  them ;  and  I 
hope  that  before  a  great  while  we  shall  be  able  to  erect 

1 A  gentleman  engaged  to  teach  a  private  school  in  Beverley. 

2  Children  of  Alfred  Neale.  »  A  relative. 
4  An  elderly  lady,  first  cousin  of  his  father. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    235 

stones.     The  cadets  have  been  absent  at  Petersburg  and 
Richmond  but  are  expected  home  to-day. 

T.  J.  J. 

Lexington^  Va.y  December  6,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  been  rather  anxiously  looking  for  a  letter 
from  you  for  quite  a  while,  and  am  somewhat  apprehen 
sive  that  something,  as  ill  health,  has  prevented  your  thus 
appropriating  a  few  minutes  to  my  gratification.  .  .  . 
William  Junkin 1  returned  home  with  his  wife  about  a 
week  since.  I  received  a  letter  from  Aunt  Clementine  a 
few  days  ago  about  Wirt,  and  I  have  written  him  another 
letter  stating  that  if  Cousin  William  Neale  would  ap 
prove  of  the  contract  that  I  would  forward  the  money  to 
Cousin  William  for  the  purchase,  with  the  understanding 
that  it  should  not  exceed  eleven  hundred  dollars.  I  see 
that  land  warrants  in  New  York  have  fallen  about  twelve 
cents  on  the  acre.  Mr.  Arnold  must  not  inconvenience 
himself  in  order  to  get  warrants  for  me,  because  I  can 
get  as  many  as  I  want  by  sending  to  the  North ;  but  I 
thought  they  might  be  purchased  cheaper  in  Beverley,  if 
there  were  any  for  sale.  And  it  may  be  that  Mr.  Arnold 
wants  to  purchase  for  himself  all  that  he  can.  The  indi 
cations  in  New  York  are  that  they  will  fall  rapidly» 
Have  you  any  teacher  as  yet  ?  Love  to  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  January  18,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  regret  not  having  answered  your  letter  earlier, 
but  our  examination  and  other  causes  have  prevented  it, 

1  A.  brother  of  Major  Jackson's  late  wife. 


236  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

and  now  I  must  give  but  a  short  answer.  I  answered 
Thomas's  letter,  and  tell  him  that  I  want  him  to  write 
to  me  often,  and  to  tell  me  of  all  my  errors  in  spell 
ing.1 

January  2ist.  My  eyes  so  troubled  me  on  Saturday 
as  to  cause  me  to  postpone  the  finishing  of  my  letter  un 
til  to-day.  I  have  not  heard  from  Wirt  directly  for  a 
number  of  weeks ;  but  a  few  days  ago  I  received  a  letter 
which  was  written  by  him  to  Aunt  Clem ;  he  was,  he 
stated,  going  to  school.  I  wrote  to  him  a  few  weeks 
since.  I  have  recently  heard  of  Cousin  Hardin's  death. 
He  died  in  New  Orleans,  where  he  had  gone  for  his 
health.  I  am  much  pleased  with  the  idea  of  your  getting 
up  an  academy,  and  hope  that  you  may  be  successful  in 
your  noble  effort.  I  trust  that  you  will  succeed  in  giv 
ing  each  of  the  children  a  good  education.  Tell  Thomas 
that  I  want  to  see  him  well  acquainted  with  the  Latin 
grammar  when  I  make  my  next  visit.  I  believe  that  I 
stated  in  my  last  letter  that  Mr.  Arnold  need  not  buy  me 
any  land  warrant  unless  he  had  already  done  so.  I  think 
that  in  New  York  it  will  be  bought  for  less  than  a  dollar 
before  long.  Tell  Cousin  John2  that  I  am  glad  to  hear 
of  his  brightening  hopes,  and  that  I  trust  that  before 
long  I  shall  be  able  to  write  to  him,  and  that  I  would  be 
glad  to  hear  from  him  if  he  should  at  any  time  feel  able. 
Remember  me  very  kindly  to  him  and  to  all  inquiring 
relatives  and  friends,  and  tell  the  children  that  I  hope 
that  they  will  be  very  good,  and  get  as  pretty  presents 
every  year  as  they  have  just  gotten.  Much  love  to  all 
the  family. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

1  See  letter  to  T.  J.  A.,  p.  300. 

2  A  relative,  who  died  soon  afterwards. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    237 

The  mention  of  the  academy  made  by  Major 
Jackson  in  the  preceding  letter  has  reference  to  an 
effort  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Bev- 
erley  to  establish  an  academy  there,  and  which  was 
so  far  successful  that  a  substantial  brick  building  was 
erected  and  just  completed  at  the  commencement  of 
the  Civil  War.  There  was  never  an  opportunity, 
however,  to  use  it  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was 
intended.  It  was  taken  possession  of  and  occupied 
by  Federal  soldiers  shortly  after  their  arrival  at  Bev- 
erley  in  the  summer  of  1861,  and  was  subsequently 
destroyed  by  them,  and  was  never  rebuilt.  The 
next  letter  was  written  from  Lexington,  under  date  of 

February  i8t  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  expect  that  you  have  been  looking  for  a  letter  for 
quite  a  while  as  I  am  several  mails  behind  my  time.  And 
acting  upon  the  principle  that  late  is  better  than  never,  I 
have  concluded  to  appropriate  a  portion  of  this  afternoon 
to  a  little  talk  with  you.  My  paper,  you  see,  is  varie 
gated  with  colors,  but  obviously  not  much  beautified  by 
such  acquisition.  This  varied  appearance  has  resulted, 
not  from  color,  but  from  the  absence  of  color,  produced 
by  spilling  some  nitric  acid  on  it ;  and  it  has  given  me 
about  a  quire  of  the  same  stamp.  Tell  Thomas  he  must 
never  give  up  his  Latin  grammar,  nor  his  English  either ; 
that  if  he  perseveres  that  he  may  expect  to  find  both  of 
great  use  after  a  while.  Tell  him  that  his  uncle  had  to 
study  hard  for  years  at  more  difficult  things  than  Latin 
grammar,  and  that  after  he  learns  it,  it  will  all  be  very 
easy.  Tell  him  also  that  I  want  a  letter  from  him  when  he 
finds  time  to  write.  But  he  must  make  himself  perfect  mas- 


238  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

ter  of  his  spelling  book  and  then  he  may  expect  to  write 
correct  letters  ;  but  without  knowing  these  two  books, 
he  can  hardly  ever  expect  to  write  correctly,  because  all 
correct  writing  must  have  the  words  spelled  correctly, 
and  written  grammatically.  How  is  Cousin  John  White? 
I  have  not  yet  written  to  him,  but  if  your  next  letter 
brings  the  news  of  his  life  being  prolonged,  I  think  that 
I  will  try  and  write  very  soon  after.  My  time  is  much 
taken  up  during  the  day,  and  I  am  afraid  to  write  at 
night.  But  my  eyes  are  improving.  I  have  no  recent 
news  of  Wirt,  at  least  for  several  weeks,  and  I  do  not 
know  where  he  is.  The  last  I  heard  from  him  was 
through  a  letter  written  to  Aunt  Clem.1  Cousin  Hardin 
appointed  Uncle  Alfred  his  administrator.  If  Cousin 
John  is  still  living,  give  him  my  warm  remembrances 
and  hopes  that  the  visions  of  the  future  may  grow 
brighter  until  faith  is  lost  in  reality  of  those  joys  which 
passeth  all  understanding.  Much  love  to  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  next  letter  is  dated : 

Lexington,   Va.,  March  31,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  has  come  safely  and  I  am  glad  to 
learn  that  you  are  in  such  an  exuberant  flow  of  spirits, 
and  hope  that  such  may  long  continue.  I  received  and 
answered  your  other  letter  in  regard  to  the  tombstones  at 
brother  Warren's  grave.  But  I  usually  answer  letters 
from  recollection,  thus  saving  my  eyes  from  re-reading. 
I  forgot  to  answer  that  particular  inquiry,  but  remem- 

»  Mrs.  Alfred  Neale. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    239 

bered  it  afterwards,  and  should  have  answered  it  ere  this. 
I  wish  to  put  stones  to  his  grave,  and  also  to  father's  and 
sister's,  and  also  to  mother's  if  I  knew  certainly  the  spot. 
But  it  appears  to  me  that  it  would  be  best  to  put  all  up 
at  the  same  time  during  the  coming  year.  But  if  you 
would  prefer  having  Warren's  put  up  now,  write  to 
James  Dix  and  get  him  to  do  so,  and  pay  him.  And 

ask  Dr.  B if  it  will  not  suit  him  to  let  you  have  my 

part  of  the  expense,  and  let  me  pay  over  to  Colonel 
Smith  here  the  same  amount  for  him.  It  will  save  him 
the  risk  of  losing  it  in  the  event  of  his  sending  his  money 
by  mail.  But  should  it  not  be  convenient  for  the  doctor 
to  do  so,  and  you  can  spare  the  money  until  I  shall  have 
an  opportunity  of  getting  a  check,  I  will  forward  it  to 
you ;  and  should  there  be  other  expenses  I  will  share 
them  with  you.  The  congregation  here  to  which  I  be 
long  have  objects,  to  which  they  subscribe,  of  much 
more  importance  to  them  than  your  academy  can  be ;  I 
am  well  satisfied  that  your  application  would  meet  with  lit 
tle  or  no  favor  here,  and  I  would  advise  that  no  effort  should 
be  made.  We  have  six  annual  contributions,  and  then 
certain  others,  which  are  first  recommended  by  our  ses 
sion  ;  and  I  am  certain  that  the  session  would  consider 
other  objects  as  more  demanding  their  recommendation 
than  the  academy.  You  need  not  be  afraid  of  the  oppos 
ing  party  doing  anything  here ;  if  they  were  to  do  so,  it 
would  give  me  an  opportunity  which  I  would  embrace, 
if  at  home,  of  urging  your  claims.  Thomas  need  not 
repeat  his  English  verb  when  he  is  conjugating  his  Latin 
verb,  but  ask  him  sometimes  what  his  Latin  verb  is  in 
English.  I  have  heard  from  Wirt  and  have  written  to 
him  like  what  I  wrote  to  you.  Much  love  to  all  of  you. 

THOMAS.    & 


240  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

P.  S.  You  say  nothing  of  my  letter  to  Cousin  John 
having  been  received.  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  that  he 
died  so  happily.  Give  my  kindest  sympathy  to  Cousin 
Mary  and  the  family,  and  to  aunt  and  uncle.  Tell 
Thomas  that  I  expect  to  write  to  him  soon.  My  eyes 
are  troubling  me  much. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Referring  to  the  desire  expressed  by  Major  Jack 
son  in  the  above  letter  to  place  stones  at  his  mother's 
grave,  if  he  knew  certainly  the  spot,  it  may  be  here 
stated  that  he  made  a  special  trip  to  Fayette  County, 
(West)  Virginia,  where  his  mother's  remains  had 
been  interred  at  the  time  of  her  decease,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  identifying  and  locating  her  grave,  as  he  and 
his  sister  were  anxious  to  erect  a  tombstone  on  the 
spot  in  her  memory.  After  some  time  spent  there  in 
the  effort  to  find  it,  with  the  assistance  of  such  persons 
of  the  vicinity  as  had  been  present  at  her  burial,  they 
were  unable  to  identify  her  grave,  and  greatly  to  his 
disappointment.  But  he  was  entirely  satisfied  that 
in  the  erection  of  a  stone  it  would  be  a  matter  of 
mere  conjecture  as  to  the  location  for  which  it  would 
be  intended  ;  and  for  this  reason  he  reluctantly  aban 
doned  the  idea  of  doing  so.  Some  years  subsequent 
to  the  Civil  War  a  gentleman,  an  ex-Confederate 
soldier,  who  had  great  veneration  for  General  Jack 
son's  name,  in  his  admiration  and  generosity  erected 
a  stone  to  commemorate  the  memory  of  the  mother 
of  General  Jackson  at  a  spot  pointed  out  to  him  as 
the  location  of  her  grave.  While  the  members  of 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    241 

General  Jackson's  family  and  his  other  relatives  fully 
appreciated  the  motive  that  prompted  this  act,  yet 
in  view  of  the  unsuccessful  effort  of  General  Jackson 
himself  to  identify  the  particular  spot,  a  number  of 
years  prior  to  the  visit  of  this  gentleman,  and  when 
one  would  naturally  suppose  the  location  of  the  grave 
could  be  more  readily  identified  than  at  a  much  later 
period,  they  have  very  little  idea  that  the  exact  loca 
tion  will  ever  be  known ;  and  for  this  reason  they 
have  pursued  the  same  course  as  did  General  Jack 
son.  Had  the  gentleman  referred  to  communicated 
to  General  Jackson's  family  his  intentions,  before  act 
ing  in  the  matter,  he  would  have  been  informed  of 
the  above  facts. 

In  explanation  of  the  difficulty  in  transmitting 
money  from  one  place  to  another,  appearing  in  the 
above  letter,  and  elsewhere  in  Major  Jackson's  cor 
respondence,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  at  that  period, 
and  for  some  years  later,  there  were  no  banks  in 
small  towns  and  country  districts ;  and  in  the  trans 
ference  of  money  from  one  locality  to  another  there 
was  a  good  deal  of  risk  of  losing  it.  Also,  the  resi 
dents  of  such  sections  were  unfamiliar  with  banking 
methods.  It  was  not  an  uncommon  practice  to  cut 
bills  of  large  denomination  into  two  equal  parts  and 
transmit  one  part  by  one  mail  and  the  other  part 
by  a  subsequent  mail ;  the  person  receiving  the 
several  installments  would  paste  the  parts  together 
and  so  use  them.  A  prominent  citizen  of  Beverley, 
who  for  many  years  acted  as  a  quasi-banker  for  the 
entire  county  and  without  remuneration,  was  accus- 


242  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

tomed  to  send  his  money  to  the  bank  at  Clarksburg, 
some  sixty  miles  distant,  by  persons  travelling 
through  to  that  point,  not  infrequently  by  strangers 
whom  he  had  never  known  or  seen  before.  He  so 
informed  me ;  he  said  he  could  judge  of  a  man's 
honesty  pretty  well  by  his  appearance,  and  that  he 
had  never  lost  any  money  by  this  method. 

Lexington,  Va.,  May  12,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Thanks  for  your  letter,  and  excuse  me  for  not 
having  answered  it  sooner.  I  have  been  unsuccessful  in 
procuring  seed,  as  our  seed  seller  of  last  year  did  not 
bring  them  on  this  year.  But  the  apothecary  chanced 
to  have  a  few  on  hand  from  which  I  have  selected 
two  papers;  the  assortment  is  very  poor  and  small. 
I  wish  you  would  drop  a  note  to  Mr.  Criss  or  to 
Cousin  Elizabeth  and  ascertain  whether  he  could  not  see 
to  putting  up  the  stones  at  the  graves  of  father  and  sister, 
and  ask  what  they  will  come  to,  including  the  cost  of 
putting  them  up.  And  if  you  can  get  it  attended  to,  I 
will  advance  the  money  at  any  time  for  the  purpose; 
but  before  closing  the  terms  let  me  know,  because  if  they 
are  not  as  good  as  1  can  get  elsewhere,  I  had  better  have 
it  done.  But  it  appears  to  me  that  all  the  probabilities 
are  in  favor  of  getting  it  done  cheaper  through  Mr.  Criss, 
at  Clarksburg,  than  I  could  get  it  done  abroad.  I  have 
not  been  able  to  ascertain  the  cost  of  railing  for  you,  but 
intend  writing  to  Philadelphia  about  it.  Maggie  *  left  for 
Philadelphia  last  Saturday.  I  received  a  letter  from 
Wirt  in  which  he  expresses  his  probable  intention  of 

1  Major  Jackson's  sister-in-law,  Mrs.  Preston. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    243 

going  West  again,  and  I  understand  from  his  language 
that  he  means  California,  as  he  speaks  of  going  over  the 
plains,  or  some  such  phraseology.  I  have  been  trying  to 
find  his  letter,  but  have  not  succeeded  at  this  time.  I 
fear  that  I  will  not  get  to  Beverley  this  summer  as  I  am 
very  anxious  to  go  direct  to  Washington  City,  and  begin 
my  work  of  finding  out  and  locating  land.  And  as  I  may 
have  much  to  do  in  the  West  in  endeavoring  to  find  out 
the  best  land,  all  my  time  may  be  absorbed ;  but  I  hope 
not,  and  trust  that  I  shall  get  through  in  time  to  visit 
you.  Let  me  hear  from  you  soon.  I  hope  that  Thomas 
has  received  my  letter. 

Your  much  attached  brother, 

THOMAS. 
P.  S.     We  have  had  a  great  revival  of  religion  here. 

June  6,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  came  safely,  and  I  begin  my  reply 
now,  though  I  shall  not  mail  it  until  Monday.1  As  yet  I 
have  not  heard  from  Philadelphia  in  regard  to  the  railing, 
but  I  may  do  so  by  the  time  of  forwarding  this.  In  re 
gard  to  the  tombstones,  I  wish  as  soon  as  you  receive  an 
answer  in  reference  to  them,  and  shall  have  determined 
on  the  price,  and  the  time  that  they  are  to  be  put  up, 
you  would  let  me  know,  because  in  the  event  of  their 
being  put  up  before  September,  I  must  make  my  ar 
rangements  before  starting  West.  And  I  wish  to  know 
the  amount,  as  I  desire  to  employ  all  my  spare  funds  in 
the  purchase  of  lands.  Dr.  B will  pay  you  fifteen 

1  As  is  well  known  Major  Jackson  never  mailed  letters  on  the  Sabbath 
day,  and  always  when  possible  sufficiently  early  in  the  week  to  reach  their 
destination  before  that  day.  * 


EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

dollars  for  me  in  return  for  money  which  he  wrote  to  me 
to  give  his  son  this  coming  summer,  but  it  will  not  be  due 
until  some  time  in  July,  as  he  proposed  returning  it  to  me 
in  Beverley,  supposing  that  I  would  visit  there  this  va 
cation.  If  the  man  comes  to  Beverley,  as  I  suppose  he 
does,  from  his  furnishing  stones  for  Cousin  John's  grave, 
had  I  not  better  send  the  money  to  you  and  get  you  to 
pay  him,  getting  Cousin  Criss  to  see  that  he  does  the 
work  properly.  I  expect  Colonel  Augustus  Smith  here 
this  month  from  Clarksburg,  and  if  you  can't  arrange  the 
matter  otherwise,  I  may  be  able  to  arrange  it  through 
him.  In  reference  to  Wirt,  I  am  interested  in  his  welfare, 
and  had  he  followed  my  advice  I  feel  that  he  would  most 
certainly  have  been  benefited  by  it.  I  wrote  to  him  not 
long  since  in  answer  to  a  letter  from  him.  Ask  Mr. 
Arnold  if  there  is  anything  I  can  do  for  him  this  summer 
in  the  way  of  locating  land  warrants,  or  otherwise.  Tell 
him  that  my  present  purpose  is  to  go  to  Washington 
from  here,  and  after  finding  out  all  that  I  can  there  in 
reference  to  Western  lands,  to  pass  into  Illinois,  Iowa, 
Missouri  and  probably  Arkansas.  And  say  to  him  that  I 
design  following  out  his  idea  of  locating  some  land  in 
a  Northern  state,  but  that  I  am  a  little  afraid  to  put  much 
there  for  fear  that  in  the  event  of  a  dissolution  of  the 
Union  that  the  property  of  Southerners  may  be  confiscated? 
I  want  to  locate  about  three  thousand  acres,  maybe  a  little 
more  ;  and  if  I  can  please  myself,  will  probably  put  about 
one-half  of  it  in  a  Northern  state.  I  would  be  thankful 
for  suggestions  from  Mr.  Arnold  if  he  has  any  to  make. 
As  yet  I  have  not  purchased  land  warrants.  They  have 
fallen  recently  to  less  than  a  dollar  per  acre  in  New  York. 
This  is  Monday  afternoon  and  no  news  as  yet  in  regard 

1  Italics  not  in  original  letter* 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    245 

to  the  railing.  By  my  next  letter  you  may,  expect  to 
hear  about  the  cost.  Remember  me  very  kindly  to  Mr. 
Arnold  and  all  the  family.  I  hope  that  Thomas  is  doing 
well  in  his  Latin  and  English  grammars. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 


XVII 
EUROPE  (1856) 

ALL  thought  of  the  Western  trip  and  the  in 
vestment  in  lands,  either  in  free  or  slave- 
holding  states,  seems   to  have  been   com 
pletely  and  suddenly  abandoned  by  Major  Jackson. 
The  full  explanation  of  such  action  will  appear  in 
his    letters    later.     Greatly   to    the   surprise   of   his 
sister's  family,  the  next  letter  she  received  from  her 
brother  reads  as  follows  : 

New  York  City,  July  gy  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  sail  in  the  steamship  Asia  for  Europe  at  twelve 
o'clock  to-day  for  Liverpool.     The  reasons  for  doing  so 

I  will  give  in  my  next.     I  gave  John  B an  order  on 

the  Lexington  bank  for  thirty  dollars  and  requested  that 
the  money  should  be  returned  to  you.     You  can  apply 
it  towards  father's  and  sister's  graves. 
With  much  love  to  all, 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Ship  "Asia  "  at  sea,  July  i8t  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

You  have  doubtless  been  surprised  at  my  sudden 
leaving  for  Europe  instead  of  going  West  to  purchase  or 

246 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON 

locate  land.  You  may  remember  that  in  1851  I  had  a 
nine  months'  leave  of  absence  for  the  purpose  of  visiting 
Europe,  but  that  Colonel  Smith  induced  me  to  relinquish 
the  idea  for  the  time,  holding  out  to  me  an  opportunity 
at  some  future  time,  and  that  I  accordingly  did  postpone 
my  contemplated  trip.  This  year,  as  the  time  for  going 
West  drew  near,  I  became  more  and  more  discouraged 
in  regard  to  investing  money  in  such  distant  lands,  and  a 
gentleman  with  whom  I  conversed,  and  who  has  had 
much  experience,  told  me  that  he  did  not  think  it  a  safe 
and  profitable  investment.  Another  friend  told  me  that 
he  had  come  very  near  losing  a  part  of  his  in  consequence 
of  his  being  so  far  off  as  to  interfere  with  his  giving  suf 
ficient  attention  to  it.  And  I  have  rather  concluded  to 
keep  my  money  invested  in  stocks  of  different  kinds, 
and  thus  get  my  dividends  regularly,  and  trust  to  the 
blessing  of  Providence  for  gradually  increasing  my  worldly 
goods.  Thus  circumstanced,  I,  in  a  few  days  before  start 
ing,  concluded  that  an  opportunity  was  now  offered  of 
going  to  Europe  which  would  probably  never  again  be 
presented  to  me.  What  should  I  do  with  the  two  months 
before  me  was  a  question  which  I  did  not  know  how  to 
answer  satisfactorily.  You  are  a  very  kind  and  affection 
ate  sister,  yet  even  with  you  I  would  be  reminded  of  the 
loss  of  that  happiness  which  I  once  enjoyed  with  dear 
Elite.  So  I  have  to  some  extent  torn  myself  away  from 
that  state  of  mind  which  I  feared,  should  my  summer 
have  been  passed  at  home,  or  in  the  United  States.  I 
hope  that  you  will  be  able  to  get  up  the  tombstones  by 
the  aid  of  the  money  I  have  sent  you.  .  .  .  When  I 
return  I  will  let  you  have  whatever  may  be  wanting, 
should  you  not  be  able  to  get  along  with  what  you  have. 
.  .  .  I  wish  you  would  write  me  a  letter  to  New  York 


248  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

City  during  the  first  week  of  October.  Remember  me 
very  kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  to  all  the  family.  Kindest 
regards  to  all  inquiring  relatives  and  friends. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 


The  earliest  intelligence  of  Major  Jackson  after  his 
arrival  in  Europe  is  the  following  letter  written  from 
Naples : 

Naples,  September  p,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

You  must  excuse  my  long  silence,  as  I  have  been 
much  pressed  for  time,  and  hasten  to  drop  you  a  line. 
Since  landing  at  Liverpool  I  have  been  at  Glasgow, 
Stirling  Castle  and  Edinburgh  in  Scotland;  York, 
London  and  other  places  in  England ;  Antwerp,  Brus 
sels,  Waterloo  and  other  places  in  Belgium.  Since  then 
I  have  passed  through  Aix  La  Chapelle,  Bonn,  Frank 
fort  on  the  Main,  having  ascended  the  Rhine.  From 
Frankfort  I  proceeded  to  Heidelberg  and  thence  on  to 
Baden  Baden  in  Germany,  Strasburg,  Basle,  Lakes  Lu 
cerne,  Brienz  and  Thum,  Berne,  Freiburg  and  the  city 
of  Geneva  in  Switzerland,  and  so  on  to  the  great  Glacier 
called  Mer  de  Glace,  that  is,  sea  of  ice.  I  continued  in 
Switzerland  for  about  a  week  and  crossed  the  Alps  by 
the  Simplon  Pass,  as  it  is  called,  through  which  Napoleon 
entered  Italy.  The  scenery  of  Switzerland  is  very  grand. 
After  entering  Italy  I  visited  the  cities  of  Milan,  Venice, 
Mantua,  Modena,  Florence,  Pisa,  Leghorn,  and  finally 
to  this  place.  With  Venice,  Florence  and  Naples  I  have 
been  very  much  gratified.  I  was  at  the  volcano  of 
Vesuvius  on  last  Friday  and  went  about  half-way  down 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    249 

one  of  the  active  craters.     The  scene  was  truly  grand. 
This  evening  I  leave  for  Rome.     Much  love. 

Your  attached  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Whether  there  were  any  other  letters  written  from 
Europe  does  not  appear,  as  the  next  in  the  collection 
was  mailed  from  Lexington  after  he  had  resumed  his 
duties  at  the  Institute.  It  is  dated : 

October  25,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  forwarded  to  you  after  returning  home  a  few 
lines,  and  with  pleasure  I  now  appropriate  a  little  while 
to  say  where  I  have  been  during  my  absence.  As  to 
telling  what  I  saw,  a  volume  of  several  hundred  pages 
would  be  required.  But  should  I  ever  be  permitted  to 
see  you,  I  trust  that  I  will  be  able  to  pass  several  hours 
in  narrating  my  travels.  I  was  unable  to  come  through 
Beverley  and  see  you.  I  was  several  days  later  in  re 
turning  home  than  I  had  designed.  After  reaching 
Liverpool  I  passed  down  to  the  old  town  of  Chester, 
and  then  out  to  the  residence  of  the  Marquis  of  West 
minster  ;  his  house  is  called  Eaton  Hall.  Afterwards  I 
returned  to  Liverpool  and  proceeded  north  into  Scot 
land,  passing  through  Glasgow,  Stirling  and  Edinburgh. 
After  leaving  Edinburgh  I  returned  to  England,  visiting 
York,  the  residence  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  the  University 
of  Cambridge  and  London.  From  London  I  took  a 
steamer  to  the  continent,  landing  at  Antwerp,  and  pass 
ing  on  to  Brussels,  Waterloo  (the  several  places  named 
in  a  former  letter  are  omitted),  Naples,  Rome,  Genoa, 
Marseilles,  Lyons,  Paris,  Calais,  London,  Liverpool,  New 
York,  home.  ...  I  could  talk  to  you  with  much 


250  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

pleasure  about  very  many  things  of  great  interest.  Tell 
Thomas  that  I  intend  answering  his  letter  in  a  few  days. 
I  am  very  much  gratified  that  you  are  putting  up  the 
gravestones.  Should  you  want  any  more  funds  let  me 
know.  I  found  two  letters  from  Wirt  awaiting  me  at 

home.     I  shall  send  him  a  check  for dollars  if  I 

can  get  one  on  New  York  for  that  amount.  Much  love 
to  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.y  December  6,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  am  glad  to  learn  that  you  have  secured  a  teacher, 
and  that  she  has  been  with  you  for  some  time,  and  I  hope 
that  she  is  such  as  you  desire  she  should  be.  We  have  just 
been  having  in  our  village  a  series  of  lectures  by  Mr.  O.  P 
Baldwin  of  Richmond.  They  were  four  in  number,  viz. : 
"  Better  Times  Coming,"  "  Humbugs,"  "  Spirit  Rap- 
pings,"  and  "  Yankees  and  Southerners."  As  you  may 
judge  from  their  titles,  they  were  more  amusing  than 
instructive.  I  heard  the  first  three.  You  would  prob 
ably  like  to  hear  a  little  of  my  whereabouts  during  the 
past  summer,  and  I  purpose  giving  you  a  kind  of  jour 
nal,  should  you  so  desire.  But  should  you  get  tired  at 
any  time,  just  let  me  know.  I  believe  I  said  something 
to  you  in  my  last,1  but  as  I  failed  to  take  a  note  of  my 
stopping  point,  I  shall  again  commence  at  Liverpool. 
Leaving  Liverpool  the  same  day  of  my  landing  I  pro 
ceeded  to  the  city  of  Chester,  which  is  about  eighteen 
miles  from  Liverpool,  and  on  entering  the  hotel  I  was 
met  by  a  lady  instead  of  a  landlord,  as  I  had  been  ac 
customed  to  at  home,  and  she  wished  to  know  whether 

1  Evidently  refers  to  a  letter  now  lost. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    251 

I  would  have  a  room,  etc.  After  having  secured  my 
quarters,  I  proceeded  to  the  cathedral,  which  is  a  large 
edifice,  formerly  occupied  by  the  Roman  Catholics.  At 
the  door  I  was  met  by  a  man  who,  upon  learning  where 
I  was  from,  inquired  after  the  Fairfax  family,  stating  that 
the  representative  of  that  house  lived  in  America,  and 
that  he  was  entitled  to  the  succession.  It  was  about  the 
hour  of  evening  service.  They  have  two  services  there 
per  day,  and  this  was  about  four  o'clock  p.  M.  He  turned 
me  over  to  the  sexton,  who  showed  me  to  a  seat  upon 
the  condition  that  I  should  not  leave  it  until  after  service 
was  over.  After  service  he  showed  me  through  the 
building,  which  was  quite  interesting.  Among  other 
things  were  the  seats  for  the  friars  or  monks,  which 
were  so  constructed  that,  should  they  become  drowsy 
and  forgetful  of  their  duty,  their  seats  suddenly  dropped 
them  on  the  floor  and  recalled  their  wandering  thoughts. 
I  walked  around  the  wall  and  saw  the  tower  on  which 
King  Charles  the  First  stood  and  saw  the  defeat  of  his 
army  at  Rowton  Moor.  Much  love  to  all  the  family, 
and  kind  regards  to  all  inquiring  friends. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

In  reading  the  preceding  letter,  one  cannot  but 
conjecture  as  to  what  were  Major  Jackson's  thoughts 
upon  having  exhibited  to  his  inspection  the  ingenious 
arrangement  of  seats  for  the  monks,  nor  what  per 
sonal  application  of  its  use  may  possibly  have  oc 
curred  to  him  at  the  time,  or  afforded  food  for  thought 
subsequently,  when  it  is  recalled  that  several  of  his 
biographers  and  others  have  asserted  that  he  almost 
invariably  dozed  off  to  sleep  during  church  service. 


252  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Whether  such  was  the  fact  I  am  unable  to  say,  al 
though  I  sat  in  the  same  pew  with  him  at  church 
regularly  for  almost  a  year,  as  I  also  did  upon  other 
occasions.  I  can  state  that  to  all  appearances  he 
would  go  to  sleep  ;  but  afterwards  he  always  seemed 
to  know  something  of  every  topic  that  was  intro 
duced  in  the  sermon,  and  so  much  more  about  it 
than  I  did  that  I  would  not  like  to  vouch  for  his 
slumbers. 

Lexington,  Va.,  February  26,  i8$j. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  of  the  8th  came  safely.  I  regret  that  you 
should  have  been  the  loser  of  so  many  teeth.  I  don't  like 
the  idea  of  your  being  toothless ;  but,  as  you  say,  another 
set  can  be  furnished  by  the  dentist.  I  received  a  letter 
from  Aunt  Clem  requesting  me  to  lend  Uncle  Alfred  two 
or  four  hundred  dollars  for  Wirt  to  buy  stock  to  drive  to 
California.  I  did  not  have  the  money,  and  even  if  I  had, 
should  not  have  lent  it ;  for  one  reason  among  others  is 
that  I  do  not  approve  of  Wirt  going  to  California.  I 
have  recently  heard  from  him  and  he  asks  me  to  lend  him 
dollars,  but  says  nothing  about  going  to  Cali 
fornia.  I  think  that  next  month  when  our  bank  gets  in 
operation  that  I  will  send  him  a  small  amount.  I  am  un 
able  to  say  whether  I  will  first  visit  Beverley  or  North 
Carolina.1  Our  winter  has  been  very  severe,  but  for  near 
a  fortnight  we  have  had  beautiful  weather.  The  aspen  is 
in  bloom,  and  the  weeping  willow  is  beginning  to  look 
green.  I  am  still  at  Dr.  Junkin's.  Tell  Miss  Eliza2  that 

1  It  was  about  this  period  that  there  was  quite  an  attraction  for  Major 
Jackson  in  the  latter  state  of  which  more  in  the  next  letter. 
8  A  maiden  lady  and  friend  of  the  family. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    253 

if  I  should  bring  her  a  beau  that  she  must  not  tell  on  me, 
lest  the  old  bachelors  about  Beverley  should  mob  me  for 
tramping  on  their  toes.  I  infer  from  your  letter  that  when 
I  dropped  my  narrative  I  was  at  the  Cathedral  of  Chester. 
After  leaving  Chester  I  passed  to  a  beautiful  estate  of  an 
English  nobleman,  the  Marquis  of  Westminster  ;  he  lives 
about  three  miles  from  the  city ;  but  after  driving  about 
half  a  mile  I  came  to  a  beautiful  gateway,  somewhat  re 
sembling  the  front  of  a  fine  building ;  here  the  porter  who 
had  charge  of  it  admitted  me,  and  I  drove  through  a 
park  containing  about  fifteen  hundred  deer,  the  race 
course  on  which  he  tries  his  horses,  etc.,  the  fences  being 
of  iron,  and  the  ground  containing  a  variety  of  luxuriant 
trees.  After  passing  on  thus  for  near  two  and  a  half 
miles,  I  came  to  a  magnificent  palace  covered  with 
pinnacles.  Here,  after  ringing  the  bell,  a  servant,  of 
quite  a  gentlemanly  appearance,  came  to  the  door  and 
admitted  me  by  my  giving  him  my  ticket  of  admission, 
which  I  had  procured  before  leaving  Chester.  The 
interior  of  the  building  is  magnificent.  One  of  the  rooms 
is  copied  from  the  celebrated  Alhambra  of  Granada  in 
Spain,  which  was  built  by  the  Moors.  .  .  .  Much 
love  to  all.  Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 


XVIII 
HOME  LIFE  (1857-1859) 

THE  next  letter  is  without  date,  but  was  written 
probably  the  latter  part  of  May,  1857.  It 
discloses  a  trait  in  General  Jackson's  char 
acter,  the  possession  of  which  has  seldom  been  at 
tributed  to  him  except  by  his  intimate  friends ;  for 
in  the  minds  of  many  the  impression  has  been  formed 
that  a  sense  of  humor  was  foreign  to  his  whole  nature. 
This  letter  further  discloses  the  approaching  time  of 
a  very  important  and  happy  event  in  Major  Jackson's 
career,  and  which  certainly  became  a  large  factor 
towards  his  happiness  for  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
The  bright,  sunny  nature  and  cheerful  disposition  of 
his  future  bride  was  just  what  one  of  his  temperament 
needed.  The  kind  Providence  that  he  always  ap 
pealed  to  for  guidance  surely  directed  him  in  this 
most  important  decision. 

Lexington  %  Va. 

MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  don't  know  whether  you  have  yet  returned  from 
your  visit  to  aunt's,  but  I  will  write  to  you  now,  as  I 
have  the  time,  and  might  not  have  so  much  leisure  in  a 
few  days  hence.  And  I  will  begin  by  stating  that  I  have 
an  invitation  for  you;  and  what  do  you  think  it  is?  and 
who  from  ?  For  it  is  not  often  that  I  am  authorized  to 
send  you  invitations,  and  especially  pressing  ones.  And 

254 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    255 

I  suppose  you  begin  to  think,  or  may  think,  Well,  what 
does  he  mean  ?  Why  doesn't  he  tell  me  at  once  and  be 
done  with  it?  Well,  you  see  I  have  finished  the  first 
page  of  my  letter,  ...  so  that  if  I  don't  tell  you 
soon,  you  will  hardly  get  it  at  all  from  this  sheet.  Well, 
now,  having  cultivated  your  patience  a  little,  as  all  women 
are  said  to  have  curiosity,  I  will  tell  you  that  Miss  Mary 
Anna  Morrison,  a  friend  of  mine,  in  the  western  part  of 
North  Carolina,  and  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state,  is 
engaged  to  be  married  to  an  acquaintance  of  yours  living 
in  this  village,  and  she  has  requested  me  to  urge  you  to 
attend  her  wedding  in  July  next.  To  use  her  own  words, 
she  says,  "  I  hope  your  sister  will  come.  You  must 
urge  her  to  do  so.  I  should  be  very  glad  if  she  could 
come."  The  wedding  is  not  to  be  large.  I  told  her  that 
I  would  give  the  invitation,  and  having  done  so,  feel  that 
I  am  free  from  all  further  responsibility  in  the  matter. 
I  told  her  that  I  didn't  think  that  you  would  be  able  to 
accept  it,  and  if  you  can't,  just  let  me  know  in  your  next, 
and  transfer  the  invitation  to  your  humble  servant,  and 
he  will  not  decline ;  for  he  is  very  anxious  to  go,  as  he  is 
much  interested  in  the  ceremony  and  the  occasion,  and 
the  young  lady  is  a  very  special  friend  of  mine.  I  hope 
that  you  have  had  a  very  pleasant  trip  to  the  river.1  I 

deposited  in  our  bank  a  few  days  since dollars, 

and  transferred  the  evidence  of  deposit  to  Wirt,  and  for- 
~  warded  it  to  him,  stating  that  he  might  expect  more  next 
July.  Our  weather  is  beautiful  at  present,  and  I  suppose 
that  spring  will  rapidly  advance  now.  Give  much  love 
to  all.  Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

1  Ohio  River.     His  sister  had  been  visiting  her  relatives  and  friends  at 
Parkersburg  and  vicinity. 


256  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Immediately  following  the  close  of  the  session  at 
the  Military  Institute  for  the  year  1857,  Major  Jackson 
came  directly  to  our  home  for  a  brief  visit.  Just  how 
long  he  was  with  us  upon  this  occasion  I  do  not  re 
member,  but  it  could  not  have  extended  much  be 
yond  a  week,  as  his  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Anna 
Morrison  took  place  at  the  home  of  her  father,  Dr.  R. 
H.  Morrison,  in  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.,  on  the 
i6th  of  July.  This  visit  of  Major  Jackson's  is  dis 
tinctly  recalled  by  the  truly  beautiful  presents  that  he 
had  brought  from  Italy  the  preceding  autumn  for  my 
sister  and  myself,  this  being  the  first  opportunity  that 
presented  for  their  delivery.  His  intention,  as  is  evi 
dent  from  his  correspondence,  was  to  make  a  visit  to 
us  at  Beverley  with  his  bride  to  be,  followed  by  a 
tour  of  some  of  the  Northern  states,  but  he  was  pre 
vented  from  so  doing  for  the  reason  assigned  in  the 
next  letter.  The  letter  conveying  intelligence  of  his 
marriage  has  been  lost,  as  probably  several  others 
immediately  following.  The  first  of  those  preserved 
was  written  after  his  return  to  Lexington  and  is 
dated  : 

Rockbridge  Alum  Springs,  August  //,  1857. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Since  my  last  we  have  visited  Niagara,  Saratoga 
and  intermediate  places.  As  stated  in  my  Richmond 
letter,  I  had  expected  to  proceed  from  that  point  to 
your  house ;  but  an  enlargement  of  one  of  the  glands  of 
Anna's  neck  induced  me  to  consult  a  physician,  and  my 
concern  was  so  great  as  to  induce  me  to  take  her  to 
Philadelphia,  where  she  consulted  Dr.  Jackson  of  the 


MRS.   MARY  ANNA    (MORRISON)    JACKSON. 
From  a  photograph  taken  about  1880. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    257 

university,  and  he  was  unable  to  decide  as  to  the  true 
character  of  the  case.  But  whilst  there  I  met  with 
Dr.  Graham  of  Lexington,  in  whom  I  have  great  con 
fidence,  and  he  advised  me  to  bring  her  here,  after  mak 
ing  a  short  tour.  We  reached  here  last  Wednesday 
evening,  and  the  enlargement  has  apparently  diminished 
considerably  since  that  time.  We  expect  to  remain  here 
till  near  the  close  of  my  vacation,  and  then  to  return  to 
Lexington.  I  regret  that  we  have  been  unable  to  visit 
you  this  summer ;  but  I  felt  that  under  the  circumstances 
it  was  my  duty  to  make  Anna's  health  the  first  object  of 
concern.  In  coming  from  Staunton  here  I  fell  in  with 
Cousin  Floride  *  and  her  little  boy,  on  their  way  to  the 
Healing  Springs.  Let  me  hear  from  you  soon,  and  if 
you  can  write  before  the  25th  of  this  month,  direct  to 
this  place ;  otherwise,  direct  to  Lexington.  Give  love  to 
all.  Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  December  ip,  1857. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

You  have  probably  been  expecting  a  letter  from 
me  for  some  days.  Owing  to  an  inflammation  of  the 
tube  leading  to  the  ear,  and  also  inflammation  of  the 
throat  (chronic),  and  very  painful  neuralgia,  I  have  been 
constrained  to  give  up  my  correspondence  for  a  while. 
I  never  remember  having  suffered  so  much  as  within  the 
last  three  weeks ;  and  now  I  am  compelled  to  use  a  vial 
of  chloroform  liniment  per  day  externally,  and  am  also 
using  internally  a  preparation  of  ammonia.  The  hearing 
of  my  right  ear  is  impaired,  but  I  trust  not  permanently, 

1  Mrs.  Floride  Duncan  of  Clarksburg. 


258  EAELY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

I  have  continued  to  attend  to  my  recitations,  notwith 
standing  my  sufferings.  In  a  few  days  I  hope  to  be  free 
from  pain.  The  eye  medicine  helped  me  for  a  while,  I 
think,  but  I  can't  say  that  I  have  been  permanently 
benefited,  and  I  would  advise  you  not  to  try  the  medi 
cine.  Anna  is  quite  robust  again.  She  joins  me  in  love 
to  you  all.  I  wrote  to  Wirt  advising  him  to  go  to  some 
active  occupation,  and  to  read  standard  books,  and  thus 
endeavor  to  apply  his  knowledge  of  grammar,  and  become 
acquainted  with  the  construction  of  the  language ;  use  is 
of  great  importance.  .  .  ,  Let  me  hear  from  you 
soon. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

In  the  following  letter  Major  Jackson  gives  his 
views  as  to  the  plan  of  salvation. 

Lexington,  Va.,  February  8,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  very  welcome  letter  of  last  week  reached  me 
this  morning,  and  I  am  rejoiced  to  learn  that  you  are  so 
much  concerned  about  "  the  one  thing  needful"  I  have 
borne  in  mind  that  our  sainted  mother's  prayers  would 
not  be  forgotten  by  our  heavenly  Father.  Though  dead, 
her  prayers,  I  trusted,  would  be  precious  in  the  sight  of 
the  Lord.  The  Saviour  says  in  Mark,  sixteenth  chapter, 
sixteenth  verse :  "  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized 
shall  be  saved."  But  you  may  ask,  What  is  it  to  believe  ? 
To  explain  this  I  will  quote  from  an  able  theologian,  and 
a  devoted  servant  of  God.  To  believe,  in  the  sense  in 
which  the  word  is  used  here,  is  feeling  and  acting  as  if 
there  were  a  God,  a  heaven,  a  hell ;  as  if  we  were  sinners 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    259 

and  must  die ;  as  if  we  deserved  eternal  death,  and  were 
in  danger  of  it.  And  in  view  of  all,  casting  our  eternal 
interests  on  the  mercy  of  God,  in  Christ  Jesus.  To  do 
all  this  is  to  be  a  Christian.  You  speak  of  having  done 
all  that  you  know  in  order  to  be  accepted.  This  is  too 
apt  to  be  our  error.  We  must  not  depend  on  making 
ourselves  holy,  but  just  come  to  the  Father  and  ask,  for 
the  sake  of  Jesus,  and  rely  entirely  on  the  merits  of  Christ 
for  our  prayer  being  answered.  The  Father  loves  the 
Son,  and  for  His  sake  pardons  those  who  plead  the  Son's 
merits.  We  should  never  think  of  presenting  any  merits 
of  our  own,  for  we  are  all  sinners.  Do  not  trouble  your 
self  too  much  about  not  having  repented  enough  for  your 
sins,  for  your  letter  shows  that  you  have  much  concern 
about  the  subject.  But  let  me  advise  you  simply  to  do 
as  God  enabled  me  to  do :  that  is,  to  resolve  to  spend  the 
remaining  part  of  life  in  His  service,  to  obey  the  teachings 
of  the  Bible  until  death,  and  to  rely  entirely  on  the  mercy 
of  God  for  being  saved.  And  though  the  future  looked 
dark,  it  has  become  very  bright.  Never  despair ;  even 
old  Christians  sometimes  have  dark  moments.  Never 
omit  to  pray  at  regular  times.  For  years  your  salvation 
has  been  my  daily  prayer  and  shall  continue  so.  Write 
to  me  often,  and  tell  me  all  your  trials,  that  I  may  be 
able  as  an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God  of  doing  some 
thing  for  your  eternal  welfare.  I  have  nearly,  if  not 
entirely,  lost  the  use  of  one  ear,1  and  my  throat  has  to  be 
cauterized  about  twice  a  week,  but  it  is  improving. 
Were  it  not  for  my  throat  Anna  and  myself  would  like 
very  much  to  pay  you  a  visit  this  winter.  My  throat  and 

1  Fortunately  he  was  later  greatly  relieved  of  this  deafness.  Though 
for  the  remainder  of  his  life  he  was  partially  deaf,  so  much  so  that  he  was 
unable  to  locate  the  direction  of  sound. — T.  J.  A, 


260  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

the  sale  of  a  neighbor's  property  next  week  are  the  two 
obstacles.  Anna  is  anxious  to  go  next  week.  She  joins 
me  in  love  to  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.t  March  8,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  thank  our  heavenly  Father  for  having  given  you 
that  peace  which  passeth  all  understanding,  and  which 
the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away.  The  world 
may  wrong  us  and  deceive  us,  but  it  never  can  take  from 
us  that  joy  resulting  from  an  assurance  of  God's  love. 
You  may  expect  dark  hours,  but  never  for  one  moment 
permit  yourself  to  despond.  The  followers  of  Christ  are 
expressly  told  in  the  Bible  that  in  this  life  they  shall  have 
tribulation;  but  our  Saviour  has  also  told  us  to  be  of 
good  cheer,  for  He  has  overcome  the  world ;  which 
teaches  us  that  if  we  but  persevere  in  the  ways  of  well 
doing  that  we  also  shall  overcome  the  world.  I  am  glad 
that  you  called  in  Mr.  Thomas.1  Tell  him  that  I  am 
much  obliged  to  him  for  sending  the  prescription.  You 
say  that  you  don't  understand  my  letter.  My  throat,  to 
which  I  alluded,  has  been  inflamed,  and  I  have  lost  the 
use  of  one  ear,  or  nearly  so,  in  consequence  of  the  in 
flammation  extending  along  the  tube  leading  to  the  ear ; 
and  the  other  ear  is  also  affected.  But  we  know  that  all 
things  work  together  for  good.  This  is  my  great  con 
solation.  Anna  has  been  desirous  of  visiting  you  this 
winter,  and  I  even  went  so  far  as  to  try  to  engage  a 
carriage  and  horses ;  but  having  failed,  and  receiving  a 
letter  from  a  friend  in  North  Carolina,  requesting  me  to 
join  him  in  an  enterprise,  and  having  a  few  days'  leisure, 

1  Rev.  Enoch  Thomas,  Presbyterian  clergyman  residing  at  Beverley. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    261 

I  concluded  to  go  South,  the  doctor  having  told  me 
that  I  could  do  so.  But  I  fear  that  I  caught  a  cold  re 
turning  home  which  has  made  my  throat  worse.  Nearly 
all  the  way  I  was  in  the  cars  with  a  comfortable  fire. 
Pray  for  Wirt.  I  wrote  to  him  some  time  since.  Anna 
joins  me  in  love  to  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     Cadet  Chenoweth  desires  to  be  remembered  to 
you. 

Lexington,  Va.,  March  /,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  am  very  much  pressed  with  business,  but  I  must 
drop  you  a  line  to  say  that  yesterday  God  blessed  us 
with  a  charming  little  daughter,  and  we  have  named  her 
after  Mrs.  Morrison,  Mary  Graham.  My  eyes  have  been 
troubling  me  a  great  deal  lately.  I  regret  that  you  have 
had  so  much  suffering.  It  appears  to  have  resembled 
my  attack.  I  am  now  using  glycerine  which  is  the  es 
sence  of  oil.  I  take  it  through  the  nostrils  for  the  pur 
pose  of  curing  the  inflammation  at  the  entrance  of  the 
nasal  tubes  into  the  mouth,  and  I  find  it  of  great  service. 
God  has  blessed  its  use  to  me.  I  tried  caustic  or  nitrate 
of  silver,  but  with  much  less  effect.  I  hope  that  you  will 
soon  be  well.  I  ascertained  to-day  that  I  can  get  a  copy 
of  "  Silver-wood  "  in  town,  so  you  may  expect  one  when 
Mr.  Chenoweth  goes  home,  if  not  before.  Anna  and  the 
little  one  are  both  doing  very  well,  for  which  we  are  very 
thankful  to  our  heavenly  Father.  I  received  a  letter 
from  Wirt  a  few  days  since ;  his  health,  I  think,  is  just 
tolerable  from  what  he  says.  I  have  been  wanting  to 
write  to  Thomas  for  some  time,  and  hope  to  do  so  before 
long.  May  the  blessings  of  our  heavenly  Father  rest 


262  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

upon  you  richly  is  the  prayer  of  your  affectionate  brother. 
Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you  and  the  children.  Re 
member  me  very  kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold. 

Your  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  May  22,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  welcome  letter  came  safely,  but  finds  our 
little  daughter  very  ill  of  jaundice ;  and  she  may  at  any 
hour  take  her  place  among  the  redeemed  in  Paradise. 
Anna  is  doing  well.  My  intention  has  been,  and  still  is, 
to  visit  you  this  summer,  but  I  learned  a  lesson  from  last 
summer — not  to  make  a  promise ;  for  no  one  can  tell 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  But  I  trust  that  if  our  little 
daughter  lives  that  God  will  bless  us  all  in  a  visit  to  see 
you,  and  all  the  family.  It  seems  like  a  long  time  since 
I  was  at  your  house.  The  children,  I  suppose,  have 
grown  a  great  deal.  Give  my  thanks  to  my  darling  little 
niece1  for  her  letter,  and  tell  her  I  expect  to  answer  it  in 
a  few  days.  Give  much  love  to  all  the  children  from 
myself  and  Anna.  She  joins  me  in  love  to  you.  I  re 
ceived  a  letter  from  Wirt  this  morning,  stating  that  he  is 
well,  but  that  he  lost  his  horse  by  his  straying  off,  and 
that  he  wants  me  to  forward  him  one  hundred  and  five 
dollars  New  York  draft,  which  I  want  to  try  and  do, 
though  it  will  cost  a  premium  here. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  next  letter  is  one  written  to  his  niece,  Anna 
Grace  Arnold,  then  some  ten  years  of  age,  to  whom 

1  My  sister,  Anna  Grace  Arnold T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    263 

he  was  always  greatly  attached,  and  whose  subse 
quent  pure  Christian  life  and  character,  and  her  un 
wavering  faith  in  her  Saviour,  would  have  more  than 
won  his  unbounded  admiration  had  he  lived  to  have 
known  it.  In  this  letter  he  conveys  the  first  news 
of  the  death  of  his  own  little  daughter. 


Lexington,  Va.^June  7,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  LITTLE  NIECE  : 

Your  very  interesting  letter  reached  me  a  short 
time  before  your  sweet  little  cousin  and  my  little 
daughter  was  called  from  this  world  of  sin  to  enjoy  the 
heavenly  happiness  of  Paradise.  She  died  of  jaundice  on 
the  25th  of  May.  Whilst  your  Aunt  Anna  and  myself 
feel  our  loss,  yet  we  know  that  God  has  taken  her  away 
in  love.  Jesus  says,  "  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto 
me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven."  Did  you  ever  think,  my  dear  Grace,  that  the 
most  persons  who  have  died  and  gone  to  heaven  are  little 
children  ?  *  Your  aunt  is  doing  very  well ;  she  is  out  vis 
iting.  We  hope  to  go  and  see  you  all  this  summer,  but 
my  health  is  so  delicate  that  I  am  disposed  to  go  North 
first.  I  think  this  will  give  us  more  time  to  stay  with 
you.  Should  we  go  to  see  you  first  I  may  have  to  hasten 
on  North  without  staying  more  than  two  or  three  days. 
I  wish  you  would  write  to  me  at  once  and  let  me  know 
which  you  would  rather  I  should  do.  I  hope  that  you 
have  enjoyed  your  school  and  your  vacation  both  a  great 
deal.  Remember  your  aunt  and  uncle  to  your  father, 

1  What  consolation  and  comfort  the  niece  derived  from  reading  this  let. 
ter  many  years  later  when  she  was  bereft  of  her  own  two  little  children, 
her  all,  within  a  few  days  of  each  other,  — T.  J.  A. 


264:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

mother,  Thomas  and  Stark,  and  accept  much  love  for 
yourself. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.y  June  /p,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  and  that  of  Grace  reached  me  this 
morning,  and  for  a  while  I  thought  that  I  might  be  able 
to  visit  you  previous  to  going  North ;  but  after  more  ma 
turely  considering  my  case,  and  all  the  circumstances,  I 
am  disposed  to  think  that  I  had  better  go  North  first. 
My  disease  is  not  understood  by  my  physicians  here, 
and  I  have  nearly,  if  not  entirely,  lost  my  hearing  in  my 
right  ear,  and  my  left  ear  is  diseased,  and  my  nose  is  also 
internally  affected.  The  first  thing  it  appears  to  me 
should  be  to  seek  relief  if  it  is  to  be  had.  Write  to  me 
to  New  York  City,  and  tell  Tom  and  Grace  that  they 
must  write  to  me  this  summer,  also,  as  soon  as  I  let  you 
all  know  where  my  letters  will  reach  me  after  leaving 
New  York  City.  Tell  Grace  that  I  am  much  obliged  to 
her  for  her  letter,  and  that  she  may  expect  me  to  answer 
it  before  a  great  while.  As  to  Thomas's  examination,  I 
think  that  Mr.  Thomas  l  can  judge  better  of  his  qualifica 
tions  than  myself,  though  I  wish  that  I  could  be  with 
you  all  before  his  teacher  leaves.  I  hope  to  be  with  you 
in  the  latter  part  of  August.  I  forwarded  a  check  to 
Wirt  for  one  hundred  and  five  dollars  on  New  York.  I 
had  to  pay  a  premium  of  one  per  cent,  for  it,  and  urged 
him  to  refund  the  money  on  the  first  of  September  ac 
cording  to  promise.  If  I  had  known  that  he  had  found 
his  horse,  I  don't  know  that  I  should  have  sent  him  so 
much.  I  have  need  of  all  the  money  that  I  can  com- 

1  Rev.  Enoch  Thomas. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    265 

mand.     When  you  write  to  him,  tell  him  that  he  had 
better  sell  one  of  his  horses.     Anna  joins  me  in  much 
love  to  you  and  the  children.     Remember  me  very  kindly 
to  Mr.  Thomas  and  his  wife,  and  to  all  inquiring  friends. 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 


New  York  City  July  21,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  NIECE  : 

I  have  been  desiring  to  write  to  you  for  some 
time,  but  have  been  prevented.  I  am  now  under  the 
care  of  a  physician  by  the  name  of  Carnochan,  who  is 
one  of  the  professors  in  a  medical  college  here.  I  hope 
that  I  am  improving,  but  do  not  know  how  long  I  will 
remain  here — probably  ten  days  longer.  Afterwards  I 
expect  to  start  on  my  visit  to  you,  but  will  delay  some 
time  on  the  way,  I  expect,  in  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
the  Glades,1  etc.  Your  Aunt  Anna  is  quite  well,  and  we 
are  seeing  many  pretty  things  here.  Give  my  love  and 
your  aunt's  to  all  the  family,  and  write  to  me  as  soon  as 
you  receive  this.  Direct  your  letter  to  New  York  City. 
Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

New  York  City,  August  18,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  been  detained  here  longer  than  I  expected, 
and  this  morning  my  physician  told  me  that  my  right 
tonsil  is  inflamed,  and  the  inflammation  extends  some  dis 
tance  down  towards  the  lungs.  He  thinks  that  by  par 
ing  off  part  of  the  tonsil,  which  is  to  be  done  to-morrow, 

1  In  the  vicinity  of  the  more  recent  summer  resorts  of  Deer  Park  and 
Oakland,  Maryland. 


266  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

that  I  will  get  well  of  the  pulmonary  trouble.  He  told 
me  some  time  ago  that  I  would  get  well,  but  that  some 
change  of  treatment  might  be  required.  I  have  long 
thought  that  something  more  was  troubling  my  throat 
than  physicians  had  discovered.  As  I  feel  it  necessary  to 
remain  a  short  time  after  the  surgical  operation,  you 
must  not  look  for  me  for  ten  or  twelve  days.  I  have 
attended  to  getting  Harper's  book-list,  so  that  I  can 
answer  Thomas's  questions  ;  and  if  I  cannot  get  Long- 
worth's  wine,  which  I  have  been  trying  to  do,  I  will  get 
you  Park's  best  Ohio  wine.  I  was  at  his  store  yesterday. 
Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you  and  the  children.  May 
God  bless  you  spiritually  and  temporally  is  the  prayer 
of  your  brother,  THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  October  23,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  of  the  iQth  inst  was  received  this 
morning.  Thomas  reached  here,  as  you  expected,  on 
last  Saturday,  and  has  been  a  very  good  boy.1  And  we 
are  all  much  pleased  with  him.  He  commenced  going 
to  school  on  Tuesday  last  to  Mr.  McFarland,  and  is 
studying  the  English  and  Latin  languages.  His  teacher 
wishes  him  to  study  arithmetic  also ;  but  I  am  unwilling 
for  him  to  undertake  any  more  at  present,  until  I  see 
what  success  will  attend  his  present  studies,  and  also 
what  kind  of  health  he  will  have.  I  don't  wish  him  to 
go  over  anything  without  his  understanding  it  thor 
oughly  ;  and  hence  he  must  not  have  too  much  to  study. 
I  regard  it  as  a  great  error  to  require  a  child  to  study 
what  his  mind  is  not  capable  of  appreciating.  The  tend- 

1  The  allusion  is  to  the  writer,  then  a  lad  of  thirteen  years,  who  evi 
dently  was  on  his  good  behavior. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    267 

ency  is  to  diminish  his  fondness  for  study ;  to  give  him 
a  vague  way  of  thinking,  since  he  is  not  accustomed  to 
see  the  precise  point ;  and  by  overtasking  the  mind,  his 
health  both  of  body  and  mind  are  endangered.  .  .  . 
I  will  attend  to  the  directions  of  your  letter,  and  I  am 
glad  to  see  that  your  views  with  regard  to  Thomas's  edu 
cation  and  my  views  on  the  same  subject  are  so  alike. 
I  don't  think  that  Thomas  will  get  very  homesick.  I 
regret  that  I  have  not  got  some  occupation  for  him ;  and 
also  regret  not  having  some  good  companion  for  him  to 
always  associate  with.  I  wrote  to  you  about  pocket 
money  for  him,  but,  as  I  stated,  that  probably  he  had 
reserved  enough  for  that  purpose ;  I  find  such  to  be  the 

case,  as  he  since  gave  me dollars  to  keep  for  him. 

.  .  .  My  greatest  concern  about  him  is  his  eating ; 
when  he  first  came  he  would  use  neither  milk  nor  coffee. 
Since  then  he  drinks  a  little  coffee,  but  I  am  afraid  of  his 
doing  so,  as  he  has  not  been  accustomed,  he  says,  to  its 
use.  I  don't  wish  him  to  change  his  home  habits  in  any 
respect,  unless  there  is  necessity  for  so  doing.  I  wish 
you  would  let  me  know  how  he  lived  at  home.  He  gets 
his  lessons  well.  Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  yourself  and 
the  children.  Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  February  19,  1859. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  reached  me  this  morning.  .  .  . 
Next  week  Thomas  will  commence  studying  geography 
again,  as  I  have  found  that  whilst  he  knows  a  good  deal 
about  geography,  yet  there  are  some  parts  of  it  with 
which  he  is  not  well  acquainted,  and  every  person  should 
be  familiar  with  it,  and  the  earlier  with  him  the  better. 
As  with  his  present  knowledge  his  geographical  lesson 


268  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

will  not  take  much  time,  I  may  be  able  to  give  him  some 
lessons  in  Spanish.  I  had  him  in  my  room  this  morning 
reciting  in  Latin  and  hearing  his  catechism.  I  don't 
know  much  about  Latin  myself.  I  shall  hear  him  more 
frequently  on  his  English  grammar.  I  hope  that  you 
and  Mr.  Arnold  will  both  soon  be  well.  With  the  bless 
ing  of  Providence  we  will  visit  you  in  July,  though  this 
need  not  prevent  you  from  visiting  us  before  then.  And 
I  hope  you  will  do  so,  as  something  may  prevent  our 
visiting  you  in  July.  Thomas  says  his  health  is  much 
better  than  it  was  at  home,  but  it  has  not  been  so  good, 
in  my  opinion,  since  he  received  his  box  of  eatables.  I 
never  knew  him  until  since  that  time  to  complain  of  de 
ranged  stomach  or  of  its  effects.  Yesterday,  this  being 
Monday  the  2ist,  he  had  his  lesson  very  well  for  the 
Sabbath  school.  My  dear  sister,  do  not  permit  yourself 
to  be  over-anxious  about  Thomas.  Remember  that  God 
withholds  no  good  thing  from  them  who  love  Him. 
Commit  all  things  into  His  gracious  hands.  May  He 
bless  you  with  every  needful  blessing  is  the  prayer  of 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.t  March  14, 1859. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

.  .  .  I  hope  that  you  will  not  permit  your 
self  to  be  anxious  about  him  (Thomas).  He  is  making 
some  progress  in  Spanish,  though  I  have  not  required 
him  to  give  it  much  attention.  I  hope  that  by  the  end 
of  the  session  he  will  be  able  to  continue  it  without  any 
assistance  from  a  teacher.  Come  and  see  us  if  you  can, 
for  as  Anna  is  not  well  I  am  afraid  for  her  to  travel  over 
the  road  from  here  to  Beverley.  I  expect  to  visit  you 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    269 

in  the  summer  if  God  in  His  providence  will  permit  it. 
Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.t  May  9,  1859. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  omitted  in  my  last  to  answer  your  question  as 
to  when  I  design  visiting  Beverley.  I  hope  to  do  so  in 
July,  but  you  must  not  give  yourself  any  trouble  about 
the  vegetables  you  spoke  of,  as  I  am,  through  the  bless 
ing  of  our  heavenly  Father,  enabled  now  to  live  on  most 
anything.  Don't  get  brown  bread  for  me,  as  I  have 
ceased  to  use  it.  But  when  I  drop  in  I  will  just  eat 
such  things  as  are  convenient.  I  heard  from  Anna  Sat 
urday  ;  she  sends  love  to  you.  Thomas  was  very  anx 
ious  to  go  with  his  teacher  and  a  number  of  the  scholars 
to  the  Peaks  of  Otter,  but  I  felt  it  was  too  great  a  re 
sponsibility  for  me  to  take  to  let  him  go.  Some  of  the 
boys  might  have  guns  with  them,  and  some  accident 
might  occur  to  him.  Accordingly  he  remains  at  home, 
and  I  hope  that  he  will  make  considerable  progress  in 
Spanish}  In  consequence  of  the  irritation  of  my  throat 
I  have  not  been  hearing  him  much  in  the  last  few  days. 
But  he  is  far  enough  advanced  now  to  study  considerably 
by  himself.  I  hope  to  have  a  fine  supply  of  vegetables 
for  you  when  you  come.  You  must  try  and  bring  some 
other  members  of  the  family  with  you.  Give  my  love  to 
the  children.  Thomas  is  well. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

1  Italicized  by  the  writer  who  was  far  from  being  pleased  at  having  to 
remain  and  study  Spanish  while  his  schoolmates  were  off  on  a  holiday 
trip.—T.  J.  A. 


XIX 
HOME  LIFE-—  Continued  (1859-1860) 

AS  indicated  in  the  last  preceding  letter,  Major 
Jackson's  sister  visited  him  at  his  home  in 
Lexington  in  June  of  that  year,  accompanied 
by  her  two  younger  children,  and  remained  until 
after  the  commencement  exercises  of  the  Virginia 
Military  Institute,  when  we  returned  home  by  stage 
through  the  mountains.  Major  Jackson's  friends  in 
that  charming  town  extended  a  most  cordial  welcome 
to  his  sister ;  and  the  many  attentions  of  which  she 
and  her  children  were  the  recipients  were  ever  after 
wards  a  pleasant  memory ;  and  their  kindness  was 
no  doubt  very  gratifying  to  Major  Jackson.  Years 
subsequent  to  this  visit,  it  may  be  here  mentioned, 
the  same  cordial  welcome  and  kindness  have  been 
experienced  by  the  writer  and  his  family  in  this  most 
hospitable  of  Virginia  towns.  In  the  period  referred 
to  in  the  last  several  preceding  letters,  I  was  a  mem 
ber  of  Major  Jackson's  household  with  the  exception 
of  the  first  few  weeks,  when  we  lodged  and  boarded 
at  the  same  house,  and  for  the  entire  time  was  under 
his  daily  supervision.  While  there  I  was  with  him 
more  or  less  daily,  frequently  reciting  my  lessons  to 
him,  often  accompanying  him  in  his  walks,  almost 
always  with  him  for  Saturday  and  other  holiday  out- 

270 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    271 

ings  covering  several  miles,  going  with  him  to  his 
farm  and  elsewhere.  Always  at  the  same  table,  I 
invariably  went  with  him  to  church.  He  would 
take  me  with  him  to  an  occasional  entertainment  or 
lecture.  During  our  walks  Major  Jackson's  conver 
sation  was  interesting  and  instructive,  the  instruction 
being  imparted  in  an  entertaining  and  attractive 
manner.  His  attitude  might  be  aptly  compared  to 
that  of  a  careful  and  painstaking  tutor. 

I  recall  upon  one  occasion,  when  I  had  been  at 
Major  Jackson's  home  but  a  few  weeks,  I  was  in 
formed  by  him  one  evening  that  if  I  would  arise  early 
the  following  morning  I  might  accompany  him  to 
the  Institute ;  that  there  was  to  be  a  salute  fired  at 
sunrise — my  recollection  is  of  nineteen  guns — to 
commemorate  the  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  that 
institution.  I  had  never  heard  the  report  of  artillery 
fire,  and  very  naturally  was  inquisitive  regarding  it. 
I  remember  he  corrected  me  in  the  use  of  the  word 
"  cannon,"  suggesting  "  ordnance  "  as  a  better  word. 
As  I  was  eager  to  be  present,  I  was  ready  at  the  time 
designated  and  accompanied  him.  We  arrived  at 
the  Institute  probably  five  or  ten  minutes  before  the 
battery  of  four  guns  were  hauled  on  the  parade  ground 
by  the  cadets ;  horses  were  not  used.  After  the  salute 
was  fired,  and  the  guns  had  been  removed,  I  observed 
Major  Jackson  examining  the  ground  carefully  in 
front  of  the  position  from  which  one  of  the  guns  had 
been  fired.  In  explanation  he  asked  me  whether  I 
thought  that  particular  gun  had  made  a  louder  re 
port  than  the  others ;  that  it  had  seemed  so  to  him, 


272  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

but  that  he  was  somewhat  deaf  in  his  right  ear  and 
might  be  mistaken  ;  that  he  was  examining  to  see 
whether  there  were  any  pieces  of  rags  scattered  on 
the  ground — that  sometimes  rags  were  stuffed  in  to 
make  a  louder  report.  On  this  occasion  he  gave  me 
a  good  deal  of  information  about  artillery. 

As  to  the  character  of  the  entertainments  referred 
to,  the  following  instance  may  be  cited.  He  in 
formed  me  that  I  might  go  with  him  to  an  enter 
tainment  one  night,  explaining  in  advance  that  he 
thought  it  would  be  interesting — that  it  was  to  be  a 
representation  of  ancient  Jewish  priests  in  costume, 
blowing  horns — ram's  horns.  The  performance  was 
quite  attractive  to  me.  In  returning  home  he  re 
marked  that  he  thought  it  rather  poor,  that  he  was 
disappointed  in  it. 

Perfect  system  and  regularity  prevailed  in  Major 
Jackson's  household.  The  moment  the  beat  of  the 
drum  at  the  Institute  was  heard,  distant  some  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  from  his  residence,  to  summon  the 
cadets  to  fall  into  line  to  march  to  the  mess  hall,  the 
family  repaired  to  the  dining-room,  taking  their 
seats  at  the  table.  I  do  not  remember  an  occasion 
when  the  meal  was  not  in  readiness.  Following  the 
blessing,  the  ordinary  conversation  of  the  family  was 
indulged  in  while  the  repast  was  in  progress.  Major 
Jackson  took  part  in  the  usual  conversation  in  the 
home,  as  much  so  as  any  one  ordinarily  would. 
When  there  was  company,  which  was  not  infrequent, 
he  talked  freely,  and  was  entertaining  in  conversa 
tion,  and  seemed  perfectly  at  ease.  I  do  not  recall 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    273 

a  single  circumstance  during  my  residence  there,  or 
in  fact  at  any  other  time,  that  could  be  termed  ec 
centric  upon  his  part.  I  do  not  think  he  was  so. 
The  next  letter  to  his  sister  was  written  just  after 
Major  Jackson's  return  from  the  Sulphur  Springs 
and  is  dated : 

Lexington,  Va.,  August  27, 1859. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  returned  last  Tuesday  evening  from  the  White 
Sulphur  Springs,  and  under  the  blessing  of  Providence 
my  health  has  much  improved,  and  if  I  only  had  a  week 
more  before  the  commencing  of  the  session,  I  would  visit 
you ;  but  I  would  barely  have  had  time  to  ride  to  your 
house  and  back,  which  would  not  have  answered  our  pur 
pose,  as  my  desire  is  to  make  a  visit  But  I  hope  that  in 
November  I  will  be  with  you.  The  first  visit  that  I  pay 
is  to  be  to  you.  I  feel  that  a  disordered  liver  had  probably 
much  to  do  with  my  affected  throat,  and  if  I  can  only  keep 
the  secretions  right  I  hope  that  my  throat  will  soon  be  well. 
Anna's  health,  I  fear,  has  not  improved  much,  though 
she  gained  some  flesh  during  her  stay  at  the  baths. 
Major  Preston  has  just  returned  and  given  me  an  ac 
count  of  you  all.  I  am  much  gratified  that  Mr.  Arnold 
invited  him  to  stay  with  you.  I  regret  that  Mr.  Arnold's 
arm  continues  to  trouble  him.  I  trust  that  you  will  suc 
ceed  in  securing  a  competent  teacher  for  the  children. 
Tell  them  that  their  aunt  and  I  were  wishing  this  week 
that  we  could  see  them.  Sulphur  water  appears  to  suit 
my  disease  better  than  any  other  remedy  which  I  have 
met  with,  and  yesterday  evening  Anna  and  myself  took 
a  ride  to  one  of  these  springs  about  eight  miles  from 
town.  I  never  knew  of  its  existence  until  within  a, few 


EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTEES 

weeks.  The  water  is  very  pleasant,  yet  very  weak,  and 
I  fear  not  of  much  benefit.  I  send  you  by  the  same 
mail  with  this  letter  one  of  our  catalogues.  Anna  joins 
me  in  love  to  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Home,  September  ij,  1859. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  last  reached  me  safely,  and  Anna  delivered 
the  articles  to  the  servants  according  to  your  request.  I 
regret  to  learn  that  your  health  continues  so  infirm.  I  am, 
with  yourself,  glad  that  you  visited  us  last  summer  with 
the  children,  and  hope  that  you  may  be  spared  to  visit  us 
again,  and  I  hope  that  at  your  next  visit  we  may  be  able 
to  make  you  more  comfortable  than  you  were  at  your 
last.  Anna's  health  has  become  such  as  to  render  it 
necessary  to  send  her  to  a  physician.  And  she  left  last 
Friday  for  Hampden  Sidney,  to  be  under  the  care  of  Dr. 
Watkins.  Give  my  love  to  Mr.  Arnold  and  to  all  the 
children. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  I  fear  that  I  will  not  get  to  see  you  in  Novem 
ber.  But  my  first  visit,  as  I  said  before,  is  to  you.  May 
our  kind  heavenly  Father  bless  you  richly  is  my  constant 
repeated  prayer. 

Home,  October  /,  1859. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Last  week  I  mailed  a  letter  to  Mr.  Arnold  re 
questing  him  to  visit  me,  and  among  other  inducements 
told  him  that  we  were  to  have  a  county  agricultural  fair, 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    275 

but  didn't  mention  the  day,  as  I  had  not  yet  ascertained 
it;  but  it  is  to  be  on  the  23d  of  the  month.  Urge  Mr. 
Arnold  to  come,  if  you  think  that  he  can  do  so  safely. 
And  during  his  stay  I  will  try  and  interest  him  in  our 
schools  and  country,  and  see  if  he  can  be  induced  to  lo 
cate  here.  I  found  that  the  cadets  designed  being  absent 
so  short  a  time  that  I  concluded  that  I  had  better  post 
pone  my  visit  to  you  until  next  summer.  I  feel  that  we 
are  now  very  greatly  blessed  with  a  good  teacher  for  boys ; 
he  is  the  very  man,  I  think,  whom  Thomas  would  do 
well  under.  We  have  a  number  of  good  schools  for 
Grace  and  Stark.  I  heard  from  Anna  on  Saturday.  She 
hoped  to  be  at  Hampden  Sidney  to-day.  She  feels  much 
improved,  and  is  bringing  Laura,  her  youngest  sister, 
home  with  her.  I  hope  that  they  will  soon  be  here. 
Let  me  hear  from  you  soon.  And  tell  me  what  Mr. 
Arnold  says.  Love  to  all,  and  trust  God  unreservedly  in 
all  things  is  my  sincere  prayer. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  You  had  better  get  Thomas  to  write  to  the  edi 
tor  of  The  Little  Pilgrim,  and  tell  him  to  send  his  paper 
to  Beverley. 

Lexington,  Va.,  December  12,  1859. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter  stating  that  you  are  teaching  the  chil 
dren  yourself  has  given  me  concern,  and  I  write  this  let 
ter  for  the  purpose  of  saying  that  you  must  never  hesi 
tate  a  single  moment  about  sending  the  children  to  me. 
I  stated  in  my  letter  to  you  the  conditions  upon  which  I 
was  ready  to  do  for  them  what  I  could,  because  I  felt 
that  it  would  prevent  any  disappointment  to  you  and 


276  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Mr.  Arnold  in  the  event  of  their  coming.  And  I  feel 
that  I  can  make  them  comfortable,  and  enable  them  to 
acquire  a  good  education,  and  to  move  in  that  sphere  of 
life  where  I  desire  to  see  them  move.  Without  a  good 
education  they  must  ever  fall  short  of  that  position  in 
life  which  they  ought  to  occupy.  And  their  early  edu 
cation  consisting  of  spelling  and  reading  is  of  great  im 
portance.  If  either  is  defective,  the  education  must 
necessarily  be  defective.  But  if  insuperable  objections 
lie  in  the  way  of  getting  a  good  teacher,  or  of  sending 
them  abroad,  don't  give  yourself  anxiety,  but  trust  in  our 
most  kind  and  merciful  Father,  who  withholds  no  good 
thing  from  His  children.  I  am  very  thankful  to  see  you 
bear  up  under  your  trials  with  such  Christian  fortitude, 
and  as  long  as  we  lean  on  His  Almighty  arm,  all  shall  be 
well.  I  reached  home  on  last  Friday  night  about  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  Anna  is  an  invalid  still,  but  I 
trust  that  better  health  is  in  store  for  her.  My  throat 
has  been  troubling  me  again  in  consequence  of  a  cold 
contracted  during  my  military  excursion.1  I  am  thankful 
to  you  for  engaging  the  pigs,  but  I  don't  know  when  I 
will  be  able  to  bring  them  home.  You  must  give  my 
love  to  Aunt  and  Uncle  White.  Remember  me  very 
kindly  to  Mr.  Arnold.  Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  the 
children.  Should  you  see  any  of  Mr.  Chenoweth's2 
friends,  say  to  them  that  I  saw  him  to-day,  and  that  he 
is  well. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

1  The  reference  is  to  the  return  of  Major  Jackson  from  Charlestown, 
Virginia,  whither  he  had  been  ordered  by  the  governor  of  the  state,  with 
the  corps  of  cadets,  to  be  present  as  an  escort  at  the  execution  of  John 
Brown,  December  2,  1859. 

2  A  sub-professor  at  the  Institute. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON 

Lexington,  Va.,  January  28,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  last  very  welcome  letter  came  safe  to  hand, 
and  I  am  glad  that  you  have  succeeded  in  procuring  a 
teacher.  And  I  hope  that  the  children  will  learn  well 
under  his  instruction.  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  Mr.  Arnold's 
improved  health,  and  trust  that  it  may  continue  to  im 
prove.  Through  the  blessing  of  our  heavenly  Father 
we  have  been  spared  from  the  smallpox  thus  far,  and  I 
hope  that  we  may  entirely  escape  it.  There  are  few 
cases  now  amongst  the  whites.  The  servants  have  taken 
it,  though  it  has  not  spread  much.  As  soon  as  a  servant 
takes  the  disease  he  is  carried  to  the  hospital.  And  they 
appear  to  be  greatly  afraid  of  the  disease  in  consequence 
of  their  being  sent  there.  ...  I  hope  that  Anna's 
health  is  improving,  but  very  little  throws  her  back 
again.  I  wrote  to  Aunt  Clem l  a  few  days  since.  On 
my  return  from  Harper's  Ferry  I  came  through  Rich 
mond  and  saw  Wm.  L.  J and  his  wife,  Jonathan 

B and  his  wife,  and  Wm.  E.  A ,  Ben.  B , 

John  S.  H ,  and  other  friends.    I  wish  you  would  write 

to  me  what  are  the  given  names  of  Wm.  L.  J 's  wife 

and  B 's  wife  and  what  relationship  there  is  between 

them  and  us,  and  give  me  a  letter  full  of  such  things,  as 
I  am  asked  from  time  to  time  what  is  the  relationship 
between  me  and  such  and  such  persons.  I  think  Mr. 
Arnold  knows  a  good  deal  about  the  subject.  For 
example,  I  think  he  knows  who  were  grandfather's 
brothers.  I  remember  having  a  talk  with  him  once 
on  the  subject,  and  I  found  he  appeared  better  ac 
quainted  with  such  things  than  myself.  Who  was  Dr. 
Edward  Jackson  ?  Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you 

» Mrs.  Alfred  Neale. 


278  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

all.     I  hope  that  your  health  is   better  than  when  you 
last  wrote. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

A  want  of  knowledge  on  the  part  of  Major  Jack 
son  as  to  the  degree  of  relationship  existing  between 
himself  and  his  kindred  as  expressed  in  the  preced 
ing  letter  is  easily  explained  when  it  is  remembered 
that  he  left  his  uncle's  home  in  boyhood  to  enter  the 
Military  Academy  at  West  Point.  And  while  he  per 
sonally  knew  many  of  his  very  numerous  relatives 
and  their  relationship,  yet  there  were  many  others 
less  closely  related,  and  some  of  them  residing  at  a 
distance  from  his  home,  whom  he  would  meet  with 
occasionally,  and  at  that  early  age  he  would  not  be 
likely  to  give  much  thought  or  attention  to  the  de 
gree  of  relationship.  Subsequent  to  the  time  of  his 
admission  to  the  academy  at  West  Point  he  had 
made  but  few  and  hurried  visits  to  his  former  home. 
The  next  letter  in  the  collection  is  dated  : 

Lexington,  Va.y  April  16,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  been  desiring  to  write  to  you  for  some 
time,  but  have  been  prevented  from  doing  so.  I  am 
sorry  to  learn  that  your  eyes  trouble  you  so  much.  I 
wish  you  would  try  the  simple  remedy  of  washing  them 
with  cold  water,  lifting  the  water  to  the  face  in  both 
hands,  and  washing  the  face  until  a  little  water  gets  into 
the  eyes  and  they  commence  smarting.  Do  this  at  night 
just  before  going  to  bed,  and  again  immediately  after 
getting  up.  I  hope  that  you  are  improving,  and  that 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    279 

Mr.  Arnold  is  likewise.  Anna  is  suffering  from  a  very 
bad  cold.  She  has  been  confined  to  her  bed  for  nearly  a 
week,  but  is  up  this  afternoon.  I  don't  know  how  Mr. 
Arnold  thinks  Wm.  L.  Jackson  *  would  do  for  a  judge, 

but  if  he  would  like  to  see  him  elected  over  E and 

can  do  anything  for  him,  I  hope  that  he  will  do  so.  I 
thought  that  probably  there  might  be  some  person  or 
persons  living  near  his  father's  old  place  beyond  Weston 
with  whom  he  might  have  influence.  If  such  is  not  the 
case,  do  not  say  anything  to  him  about  it.  And  prob 
ably  you  had  better  say  nothing  anyway  to  him  upon 
the  subject.2  From  what  I  have  heard,  William  will 
very  probably  be  elected.  I  hope  that  the  children  are 
all  doing  well.  Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you  all. 
Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS, 

The  following  letter  is  in  regard  to  his   niece's 
education. 

April  23,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  intended  writing  to  you  to-day,  but  as  Anna 
has  done  so,  I  will  only  say  a  few  words,  and  these  with 
respect  to  Grace.  I  have  not  mentioned  the  matter  to 

Major  P and  I  don't  think  it  necessary  to  consult 

him  upon  the  subject ;  but  if  you  still  desire  me  to  do 
so,  let  me  know  in  your  next  letter  and  I  will  give  you 
his  opinion.  My  mind  is  clearly  in  favor  of  making 

1  A  relative  of  whom  mention  has  been  made  before. 

2  My  father  did  not  reside  in  the  circuit  referred  to  and  consequently 
could  not  vote  there.     Jackson  was  a  Democrat  and  was  on  that  ticket. 
My  father  was  a  staunch  Whig  ;  hence,  I  suppose,  the  caution  manifested 
as  to  approaching  him  on  the  subject. — T.  J.  A. 


280  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

Grace  familiar  with  the  English  grammar  as  soon  as 
practicable ;  let  her  commence  it  at  once.  Let  her  not 
only  study  the  principles  of  the  language,  but  require 
her  to  parse  a  great  deal,  so  as  to  make  her  familiar  with 
the  application  of  the  principles.  Let  all  her  studies  be 
English  until  she  shall  become  a  finished  English  scholar. 
I  don't  attach  much  importance  to  Latin  for  females. 
It  is  of  value  to  every  educated  person,  but  mostly  to 
professional  men.  I  am  glad  that  Mr.  Arnold  is  re 
taining  Mr.  McC .'  You  may  expect  another  line 

from  me  in  a  week  or  so. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Home,  May  i,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  ; 

Tell  Grace  that  I  have  received  her  letter,  and 
that  I  am  glad  to  see  her  spelling  so  good.  I  will  write 
to  her  in  a  few  days  and  will  send  her  the  patterns  de 
sired.  Whenever  you  desire  furniture  from  New  York 
let  me  know,  and  I  can  order  it  from  either  of  two  es 
tablishments.  One  of  them  makes  first-class  furniture, 
but  I  think  that  his  prices  are  too  high  for  you.  I  pur 
chased  nothing  of  him  but  half  a  dozen  parlor  chairs. 
The  rest  of  my  furniture,  omitting  piano  and  a  few  other 
articles,  was  furnished  by  another  house,  and  I  was  very 
well  pleased  with  the  articles ;  but  when  I  was  last  in 
New  York  I  purchased  a  few  more  articles  of  the  same 
house,  but  am  not  pleased  with  them  so  well.  So  I  would 
advise  you  to  order  but  a  few  articles  at  first,  in  the 
event  of  your  intending  to  purchase  much.  I  am  writ 
ing  in  great  haste,  holding  the  paper  in  one  hand  and 

1  Mr.  R.  A.  McCutcheon  employed  by  my  father  as  instructor  for  the 
children. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    281 

writing  with  the  other.     Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you 
all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Home,  June  4,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  not  heard  from  you  for  so  long  a  time  that 
I  am  fearful  that  you  are  sick ;  and  if  so,  you  must  make 
the  children  write  to  me.  I  hope  though  that  your 
health  is  good.  Anna  is  unusually  unwell,  but  I  trust 
that  she  will  soon  commence  improving  again.  My 
eyes  have  improved  greatly,  through  the  blessing  of  Him 
who  withholds  no  good  thing  from  me  ;  but  in  some  re 
spects  my  health  is  more  impaired  than  it  has  been  for 
some  years.  If  I  don't  improve  I  hope  to  leave  for  a 
hydropathic  establishment  soon  after  our  commencement 
in  July.  And  my  plan  is  to  send  a  servant  with  the  car 
riage  to  meet  me  at  the  depot  nearest  Beverley.  What  is 
the  name  of  the  depot  ?  I  want  the  servant  to  get  to 
your  house  a  day  or  two  in  advance  of  the  time,  so  that 
he  will  be  certain  to  meet  me.  Anna  and  I  will  then  re 
turn  by  Beverley  in  the  carriage,  and  send  the  servant 
home  by  the  railroad.  All  this  plan  may  be  frustrated, 
but  I  am  resolved  to  pay  you  the  first  visit  which  I 
make.  So  you  may  be  satisfied  that  if  I  don't  visit  you 
that  my  health  is  such  as  to  render  medical  treatment 
necessary.  I  send  some  early  Silesia  lettuce  seed,  which 
I  hope  you  will  sow  at  once,  and  after  it  gets  a  few  leaves 
on  each  plant,  set  the  plants  in  rows,  so  that  the  plants 
shall  be  eight  inches  apart ;  and  water  them  occasionally, 
so  as  to  keep  the  ground  damp.  I  never  was  fond  of 
lettuce  until  I  tried  this.  I  regard  it  as  the  largest, 
tenderest  and  finest  flavored  that  I  have  ever  tasted.  If 


282  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

you  wish  any  more  seed,  let  me  know  and  I  will  send  it. 
I  am  greatly  gratified  at  the  election  of  Wm.  L.  Jackson. 
.  .  .  My  disease  gives  me  pain  every  day.  I  ex 
perience  unusual  pain  whilst  riding  in  a  carriage.  Anna 
joins  me  in  love  to  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  June  30,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  letter,  enclosing  the  check,  came  safely,  and 
relieved  my  mind  from  apprehensions  of  your  being  seri 
ously  ill.  We  have  closed  our  examinations,  and  I  hope 
that  on  Thursday  next  I  will  be  able  to  leave.  I  have 
some  concern  about  getting  from  here  to  Goshen  (the 
nearest  railroad  station)  but  I  trust  that  I  will  not  ex 
perience  much  pain,  as  I  design  going  in  my  carriage. 
I  don't  feel  so  well  to-day  as  usual,  but  I  have  been 
exercising  probably  too  much,  as  I  am  at  the  Institute 
for  the  third  time.  I  think  that  my  general  health  is 
better  than  it  has  been  for  a  year  or  two  at  this  season 
of  the  year ;  but  much  exercise  appears  to  bring  on  in 
creased  trouble  and  pain.  If  I  do  not  improve  greatly 
between  this  and  the  time  that  I  reach  New  York,  I  will 
pass  directly  through  and  leave  your  purchases  until  my 
return.  Write  to  me  at  Brattleboro,  Vermont,  as  I  de 
sign  going  to  a  hydropathic  establishment  there.  If  I 
should  not  stop  as  I  go  through  New  York,  I  will  write 
to  two  different  establishments  there  and  find  out  on  what 
terms  they  will  furnish  the  furniture ;  so  that  on  my  re 
turn  it  will  only  be  necessary  to  make  the  purchases.  In 
your  next  letter  tell  me  to  whom  I  must  direct  your  pur 
chases.  I  expect  that  it  will  be  cheaper  to  send  them  by 
water  to  Baltimore,  and  from  Baltimore  by  railroad.  If 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    283 

so,  it  would  be  necessary  to  send  them  to  the  care  of 
some  one  in  Baltimore,  as  well  as  to  the  care  of  some 
one  at  Webster  Station  on  the  railroad.  Anna  doesn't 
know  of  my  writing  this  letter,  as  I  am  at  the  Institute, 
or  she  might  have  some  special  message.  Her  health  is 
much  better  than  usual,  and  I  trust  that  through  the 
blessing  of  God  she  will  be  restored  this  summer.  The 
weather  is  oppressively  hot.  Much  love  to  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 


XX 

HOME  LIFE,— Continued  (1860-1861) 

AS  stated  in  the  last  letter  in  the  preceding 
chapter,  as  early  as  Major  Jackson  was  able 
to  leave  Lexington,  he,  accompanied  by  his 
wife,  visited  the  New  England  States,  with  the  view 
of  undergoing   treatment   at  a  water  cure,  in  the 
efficacy  of  which  he,  as  is  evident,  had  a  great  deal 
of  confidence.     His  next  letter  was  written  from  one 
of  these  resorts. 

Round  Hill  Water  Cure, 
Northampton,  Mass.,  July  21,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  have  been  desiring  to  write  to  you  for  some 
time,  but  on  last  Friday  week  I  was  very  ill  with  a  bilious 
attack  attended  with  high  fever ;  but  as  I  was  with  a 
skillful  water  cure  physician,  he  soon,  through  the  bless 
ing  of  a  kind  Providence,  arrested  the  fever,  and  on 
Saturday  I  was  again  outdoors,  and  am  now  better  than 
before  the  attack.  I  might  have  written  to  you  last 
week  had  I  not  have  been  anticipating  a  change  from 
Brattleboro  to  this  place,  and  I  feared  that  your  letter 
might  not  reach  me  in  the  event  of  having  it  directed  to 
that  place  should  I  leave  there.  To-day  I  came  here, 
and  am  much  pleased  with  things  so  far.  I  think  that 
Anna's  health  as  well  as  my  own  has  improved.  The 
special  object  of  writing  to  you  at  this  time  is  to  request 
you  to  furnish  me  with  another  list  of  the  articles  you 

284 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    285 

wish  me  to  get  for  you.  I  would  not  trouble  you  with 
making  out  another  list  had  I  not,  as  it  appears,  put  those 
you  sent  me  in  such  a  special  safe  place  of  keeping  that 
when  I  was  about  leaving  home  I  could  not  find  them 
myself.  I  don't  think  that  I  will  get  you  anything  at 
auction.  I  bought  our  sofa  there  and  it  has  turned  out 
a  great  cheat.  I  wrote  to  you  by  Mr.  Chenowith,  and  I 
think  requested  you  to  tell  me  to  whom  I  should  send 
the  purchases  in  Baltimore,  and  also  at  Grafton.  Please 
let  me  know  soon  after  receiving  this,  and  direct  your 
letter  to  Round  Hill  Water  Cure,  Northampton,  Massa 
chusetts.  I  wish  you  were  here  with  me ;  it  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  places  I  have  ever  seen.  Anna  joins  me 
in  love  to  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     I  am  on  the  west  side  of  the  Connecticut  River, 
so  you  can  find  me  on  the  map. 

Round  Hill,  Northampton,  Mass., 

August  4,  1860. 
MY  DEAREST  SISTER  : 

Your  welcome  letter  of  July  22d  reached  us  at 
this  place.     I  am  glad  that  our  sweet  cousins,  for  such 

are  the  M 's,  are  about  paying  you  a  visit,  and  I  very 

much  desire  to  meet  them ;  but  such  gratification  cannot 
be  indulged  in  at  this  time,  as  our  physician  says  that 
Anna  will  have  to  remain  here  until  about  the  1st  of 
October  if  she  wishes  to  be  cured.  He  says  that  he  can 
thoroughly  cure  her.  He  says  that  he  could  cure  me  of 
all  my  symptoms  of  disease  in  from  four  to  six  months. 
And  as  I  am  improving,  I  wish  that  I  could  remain  here 
until  relieved  of  all  my  troubles,  or  so  long  as  I  continue 


286  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

to  improve.  He  says  that  I  have  a  slight  distortion  of 
the  spine,  and  that  it  has  given  rise  to  some  of  my  un 
easy  symptoms.  There  are  several  ladies  here  who  could 
not  walk  when  they  commenced  treatment,  and  are  now 
walking  as  if  perfectly  well.  Anna  and  myself  much 
regret  that  we  must  again  be  denied  the  pleasure  of  visit 
ing  you,  as  we  had  hoped  to  do.  But  I  know  that  at  the 
right  time  our  heavenly  Father  will  permit  us  to  see  you. 
I  am  anxiously  looking  forward  to  some  opportunity 
during  the  coming  session.  I  wrote  in  my  last  for  you 
to  give  me  a  list  of  furniture,  etc.  I  will  do  the  best  I 
can  for  you  in  New  York.  I  will  not  have  an  opportu 
nity  of  stopping  in  Philadelphia,  as  my  time  is  so 
precious.  If  you  prefer  the  Philadelphia  bedstead,  I  will 
write  to  the  same  person  who  made  ours  and  get  you 
one.  I  send  a  list  of  some  of  our  purchases.  They 
were  much  lower  than  could  have  been  bought  in 
Lexington.  Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you  all.  I  wish 
I  could  stop  in  Philadelphia,  as  I  might  get  something 
for  you,  and  also  attend  to  an  important  matter  for  our 
selves.  I  much  regret  that  you  hadn't  your  furniture  at 

this  time.     You  must  give  my  love  to  H and  the 

others  when  they  visit  you.  May  you  have  every  need 
ful  blessing,  temporal  and  spiritual,  is  my  habitual 
prayer. 

Your  very  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  next  letter  was  written  just  after  his  return  to 
Lexington. 

Home,  September  j,  1860. 
MY  DEAREST  SISTER  : 

I  have  reached  home  safely,  with  my  health  much 
improved.     My  physician  said  that  I  ought  to  have  re- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    287 

mained  a  month  longer,  and  I  tried  to  do  so,  but  did  not 
succeed.1  And  I  am  satisfied  with  the  sweet  assurance 
that  all  things  work  together  for  my  good.  Anna's 
health  was  much  improved,  yet  it  was  necessary  for  her 
to  remain  longer.  I  stopped  in  New  York  and  went  to 
Bruner  and  Moore's,  and  also  to  Madden's.  They  are 
persons  from  whom  I  hoped  to  purchase  your  furniture. 
And  at  Madden's  I  have  been  able  to  get  you  better 
bargains  than  Anna  and  I  got  of  him.  .  .  .  All  the 
articles  are  mahogany,  and  I  like  them. 

Home,  September  24,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  very  welcome  letter  reached  me  on  Satur 
day,  and  I  forwarded  a  draft  this  morning  in  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Madden  requesting  him  to  purchase  the  carpet  and 
stair  rods  and  to  forward  all  by  the  first  packet  to  J.  Ar 
nold,  Beverley,  Randolph  County,  Virginia,  to  the  care  of 
R.  L.  Heavener  and  John  Gephart,  Jr.,  No.  320  Baltimore 
St.,  Baltimore,  Maryland.  I  specified  green  as  the  color 
for  the  lounge,  as  you  did  not  mention  the  color  in  your 
letter.  I  much  prefer  it  to  ours,  as  I  think  it  is  more 
serviceable,  whereas  ours  has  proved  to  be  a  great  cheat ; 
having  been  bought  at  a  New  York  auction,  I  might 
have  expected  it  to  have  turned  out  badly.  As  you  re 
quest  a  Bible  instead  of  the  oil  cloth,  I  conform  very 
willingly  to  your  wishes.  In  order  to  get  a  new  draft 
from  a  bank,  the  person  to  whom  the  bank  gave  the 
draft  has  to  inform  the  bank  that  the  draft  has  been  lost 
or  mislaid,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  satisfy  the  banking 
officer  that  he  is  acting  honestly  in  the  matter.  If  our 
bank  were  to  give  me  a  draft  and  I  should  lose  it,  all  I 

1  Presumably  had  made  an  effort  to  have  his  leave  of  absence  extended. 


288  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

would  have  to  do  would  be  to  go  to  the  cashier  of  the 
bank  and  tell  him  that  the  draft  was  lost,  and  request 
him  to  give  me  another,  which  he  would  do ;  and  he 
would  then  write  to  the  bank  that  was  to  pay  the  draft, 
and  tell  it  not  to  pay  the  first  draft,  if  he  thought  it  nec 
essary.  So  if  the  draft  sent  me  was  given  to  Colonel 
GofT,  ask  him  to  write  to  the  bank  and  request  another 
draft,  stating  that  the  first  has  been  lost  or  mislaid.  If 
the  cashier  of  the  bank  does  not  know  Colonel  GorT,  the 
colonel  had  better  inclose  his  letter  to  some  friend  in 
whom  the  bank  has  confidence  and  let  this  friend  present 
it  to  the  bank,  so  that  the  bank  may  be  satisfied  that  all 
is  right.  I  regret  to  give  you  so  much  trouble.  When 
your  friend  reaches  Lexington,  if  she  will  send  me  her 
card,  or  let  me  know  of  her  being  in  town,  it  will  give  me 
pleasure  to  gain  her  access  to  all  of  our  schools  which 
she  may  desire  to  visit.  I  will  try  and  make  her  stay 
here  agreeable.  It  may  be  that  Anna  will  be  at  home 
by  that  time,  which  will  contribute  to  her  enjoyment. 
The  house  is  very  lonesome  without  Anna;  it  hardly 
appears  like  home.  Anna  is  well,  so  the  doctor  says, 
and  she  will  come  home  so  soon  as  her  strength  and 
health  have  been  a  little  more  tested  and  confirmed. 
May  our  heavenly  Father  greatly  bless  you  and  all  your 
family,  prays  your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  following  letter  of  introduction  is  self-explan 
atory.  The  bearer  was  the  son  of  Major  Jackson's 
highly  esteemed  friend  and  townsman,  Major,  after 
wards  Colonel,  J.  T.  L.  Preston.  The  young  man  l 
had  but  recently  entered  the  ministry,  and  a  call 

1  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Preston. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    289 

had  been  extended  to  him  by  the  Presbyterians  of 
Tygart's  Valley,  which  he  had  accepted,  and  was 
departing  for  the  field  of  his  labor. 

Lexington ,  Va.,  November  12,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

This  note  will  be  presented  to  you  by  my  much 
esteemed  friend,  the  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Preston,  who  goes, 
as  stated  in  my  last  letter,  to  labor  in  the  Lord's  vine 
yard  in  your  section  of  the  state.  My  prayer  is  that  he 
may  have  the  zealous  cooperation  of  all  who  love  the 
Redeemer. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

Lexington,  Va.y  December  i,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

I  received  your  welcome  letter  this  morning.  I 
regret  to  learn  that  you  have  all  been  ill,  but  trust  that 
ere  this  reaches  you  all  may  again  be  well.  If  Mr. 
Preston  remains  in  Beverley  much  of  his  time  I  would 
be  glad  if  it  could  be  so  arranged  as  to  have  him  make 
his  home  with  you,  if  your  health  and  other  circum 
stances  would  justify  it.  But  I  fear^that  it  could  not  be 
arranged  so.  But  wherever  he  may  stay  when  in  Bev 
erley,  you  may,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  derive 
great  aid  from  him  by  consulting  him  freely.  He  is  re 
served  in  his  manners,  and  I  think  that  the  best  way 
to  treat  him  is  to  be  very  cordial,  and  to  evince  a  desire 
to  see  a  good  deal  of  him ;  but,  after  all,  we  must  not  de 
pend  too  much  on  man,  but  look  up  to  our  heavenly 
Father  for  every  needed  aid.  If  we  but  live  near  to  God, 
all  things  shall  work  together  for  our  good.  I  regret  to 


290  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

hear  of  Aunt  White's  blindness.  Give  my  love  to  her 
and  uncle.  I  am  sorry  that  your  furniture  was  injured, 
even  slightly.  I  didn't  expect  that  you  would  fancy  the 
French  bedstead  as  much  as  ours,  but  such  a  one  as  ours 
I  have  never  seen  in  New  York ;  it  is  the  Philadelphia 
style,  and  besides  it  costs  more  than  yours.  I  like  the 
French,  and  Anna  would  exchange  with  you  if  practi 
cable,  and  says  if  you  will  send  her  yours,  she  will  send 
you  hers.  If  you  had  been  accustomed  to  seeing  French 
bedsteads  all  your  life,  you  would  probably  think  the 
high  ones  quite  clumsy  affairs.  I  hope  that  William  * 
will  exchange  with  Judge  Thompson,  and  would  be  glad 
if  he  would  do  so  next  term,2  which  commences  the  1 2th 
of  next  September.  I  hope  if  he  comes  that  he  will 
bring  his  wife  with  him.  I  did  not  ask  Mr.  Preston  to 
take  your  Bible  to  you  as  he  said  that  he  was  going  on 
horseback.  Anna  joins  me  in  love  to  you  and  the  chil 
dren. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

As  will  appear  from  the  letter  next  ensuing,  Major 
Jackson,  like  General  Lee,  Commodore  Maury  and 
other  Confederate  leaders,  in  fact  nearly  all  of  the 
Conservative  population  of  the  South,  was  opposed 
to  the  states  withdrawing  from  the  Union  as  long  as 
their  citizens  could,  consistently  with  honor,  avoid 
doing  so.  Major  Jackson,  as  is  evident,  is  intensely 
concerned  as  to  the  outcome,  and  attaches  great  im 
portance  to  the  united  prayerful  appeal  to  be  made 
by  the  public  at  large  to  the  Lord  on  a  day  specially 

1  Judge  Wm.  L.  Jackson,  afterwards  adjutant-general  on  Jackson's  staff. 

2  Term  of  Circuit  Court. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    291 

set  apart  for  that  purpose,  petitioning  that  civil  war 
may  be  averted. 

Lexington,  Va.y  December  29,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Among  the  things  kept  in  mind  for  this  Saturday 
is  the  writing  of  a  letter  to  you.  The  weather  here  is 
such  that  any  one  who  does  not  learn  at  the  feet  of  Jesus 
would  pronounce  dismal,  as  it  is  penetratingly  damp,  in 
addition  to  wet  falling  snow — bordering  on  sleet.  How 
different  are  the  views  of  one  who  sees  God  in  all  things 
from  one  who  sees  Him  in  nothing.  This  reminds  me 
of  the  peasant  who  said  that  the  weather  to-morrow  will 
be  just  such  as  pleases  me,  because  it  will  be  such  as 
pleases  God,  and  that  always  pleases  me.  How  do  you 
like  Mr.  Thomas  Preston  ? *  What  is  being  done  for  the 
Redeemer's  cause  in  Beverley  ?  How  I  would  like  to  be 
with  you !  A  visit  to  you  is  one  of  the  pleasant  things 
in  prospect.  I  hope  that  you  are  all  well  again.  Do 
not  have  too  much  anxiety  about  bringing  up  your 
children;  trust  in  God  for  assistance,  and  it  will  be 
given.  I  think  of  our  sainted  mother,  and  take  courage 
from  God's  promise,  "  I  will  show  mercy  unto  thousands 
(of  generations)  of  them  that  keep  My  commandments." 
From  this  passage  a  parent  as  well  as  children  may  draw 
great  comfort.  If  a  parent  but  keeps  God's  command 
ments,  he  or  she  may  be  well  assured  that  God's  mercy 
will  rest  upon  the  children. 

I  am  looking  forward  with  great  interest  to  the  4th 
of  January  when  the  Christian  people  of  this  land  will 
lift  their  united  prayer  as  incense  to  the  Throne  of  God 
in  supplication  for  our  unhappy  country.  'What  is  the 
feeling  about  Beverley  respecting  secession  ?  I  am  anx- 

1  See  page  289. 


292  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

%  • 

ious  to  hear  from  the  native  part  of  my  state.  I  am 
strong  for  the  Union  at  present,  and  if  things  become  no 
worse  I  hope  to  continue  so.  I  think  that  the  majority 
in  this  county  are  for  the  Union,  but  in  counties  border 
ing  on  us  there  is  a  strong  secession  feeling.  Anna  joins 
me  in  love  to  you  and  the  children. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  recent  preceding  letters,  written  late  in  1860, 
are  very  calm  in  tone,  giving  no  indication  of  the 
intense  excitement  prevailing  at  that  period,  and 
which  was  especially  true  in  Major  Jackson's  im 
mediate  surroundings :  many  of  the  cadets  at  the 
Virginia  Military  Institute  having  come  from  the 
states  farther  south,  where  the  spirit  of  secession 
was  more  intense,  one  state  having  already  seceded, 
and  a  number  of  others  were  in  the  very  act  of  do 
ing  so.  The  patriotic  ardor  of  these  young  men 
was  such  as  to  require  every  effort  upon  the  part  of 
their  instructors  to  restrain  and  keep  them  within 
anything  approaching  reasonable  bounds.  It  may 
be  mentioned  that  it  was  upon  one  of  these  occasions 
that  Major  Jackson,  in  addressing  the  cadets,  made, 
it  is  asserted,  the  most  effective  speech  in  his  life ; 
although  of  only  a  few  minutes'  duration,  it  had  the 
effect  of  completely  allaying  the  most  intense  excite 
ment.  The  next  letter  is  addressed  to  the  writer 
and  is  presumably  the  only  expression  from  the  pen 
of  General  Jackson  giving  fully  and  clearly  his  views 
upon  the  then  threatening  troubles  between  the 
states,  and  indicating  in  no  uncertain  terms  what  in 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    293 

his  opinion  was  the  proper  course  to  be  pursued  by 
the  citizens  of  Virginia  in  the  event  of  the  invasion 
of  that  state.1  In  this  connection  it  should  be  borne 
in  mind  that  the  date  of  this  letter  was  but  a  year  or 
two  subsequent  to  the  John  Brown  raid,  and  which 
had  created  such  intense  excitement  at  the  time,  not 
only  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  but  throughout  the  en 
tire  South ;  and  that  the  fear  and  unrest  thereby 
aroused  had  by  no  means  subsided.  It  should  also  be 
mentioned  that  in  the  war  that  followed  no  prisoners 
were  more  kindly  treated  and  cared  for  than  those 
that  were  surrendered  to  Jackson's  command. 

Lexington,  Va.t  January  26,  1861. 
MY  DEAR  NEPHEW  : 

Your  very  welcome  letter  reached  me  a  few  days 
since.  I  was  apprehensive  from  not  hearing  from  any  of 
you  for  so  long  a  time  that  some  of  you  might  be  sick. 
I  am  glad  to  learn  that  you  are  progressing  so  well  in 
your  studies,  and  trust  that  you  will  be  able  to  enter  the 
desired  class  in  the  Institute.  During  the  present  aca 
demic  year  the  cadets  have  numbered  between  two  and 
three  hundred.  I  was  glad  to  learn  your  father's  views 
respecting  the  state  of  the  country ;  I  agree  very  much 
with  him.  In  this  county  there  is  a  strong  Union  feel 
ing,  and  the  union  party  have  unanimously  nominated 
Samuel  McDowell  Moore  and  Jas.  B.  Dorman  as  dele 
gates  to  the  convention,2  and  I  expect  that  they  will  be 

1 1  well  recall  that  although  but  a  boy  at  the  time,  how  completely  this 
letter  influenced  and  definitely  fixed  my  own  political  convictions. 
_T.  J.  A. 

2  The  State  Convention  called  to  meet  at  the  capitol  in  Richmond. 


294:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

elected  by  a  large  majority.  I  am  in  favor  of  making  a 
thorough  trial  for  peace,  and  if  we  fail  in  this,  and  the 
state  is  invaded,  to  defend  it  with  a  terrific  resistance. 
.  .  .  I  desire  to  see  the  state  use  every  influence  she 
possesses  in  order  to  procure  an  honorable  adjustment  of 
our  troubles,  but  if  after  having  done  so  the  free  states, 
instead  of  permitting  us  to  enjoy  the  rights  guaranteed  to 
us  by  the  Constitution  of  our  country,  should  endeavor 
to  subjugate  us,  and  thus  excite  our  slaves  to  servile 
insurrection  in  which  our  families  will  be  murdered  with 
out  quarter  or  mercy,  it  becomes  us  to  wage  such  a  war 
as  will  bring  hostilities  to  a  speedy  close.  People  who 
are  anxious  to  bring  on  war  don't  know  what  they  are 
bargaining  for ;  they  don't  see  all  the  horrors  that  must 
accompany  such  an  event.  For  myself  I  have  never  as 
yet  been  induced  to  believe  that  Virginia  will  even  have 
to  leave  the  Union.  I  feel  pretty  well  satisfied  that  the 
Northern  people  love  the  Union  more  than  they  do  their 
peculiar  notions  of  slavery,  and  that  they  will  prove  it 
to  us  when  satisfied  that  we  are  in  earnest  about  leaving 
the  Confederacy  unless  they  do  us  justice.  Your  aunt 
joins  me  in  love  to  you  all.  Write  often. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

The  next  letter  is  to  his  sister. 

Lexington,  Va.,  February  23, 1861. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  kind  letter  reached  its  destination  after 
Anna  had  left  for  North  Carolina  to  visit  her  parents, 
and  be  present  at  her  sister  Sue's  wedding.  She  left 
last  Monday  morning.  I  heard  from  her  in  Richmond. 
She  wrote  that  Providence  had  greatly  blessed  her.  She 


SPECIMENS   OF   GENERAL   JACKSON  S    HANDWRITING. 
Being   fac-simile   extracts    from   letter   at   pages   293-4.     The 
last  two   reduced. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    295 

went  as  far  as  Richmond  with  a  lac*/  of  this  place. 
From  Richmond  she  was  to  go  to  her  destination  with 
her  brother  William  who  was  to  leave  Washington  for 
the  purpose.  I  feel  very  lonesome  and  greatly  wish  that 
I  had  you  as  next  door  neighbor.  To-day  is  rainy  and 
I  stay  pretty  much  indoors.  I  hope  that  Thomas  will 
spare  no  pains  to  get  all  the  education  practicable  before 
coming  to  the  Institute.  He  will  thus  be  enabled  to 
take  our  course  to  greater  advantage,  and  will  be  in  a 
position  to  graduate  higher  in  his  class.  Yesterday  was 
celebrated  with  becoming  honor,  due  to  the  memory  of 
Washington.  I  trust  that  this  letter  will  find  you  all  in 
usual  health,  at  least.  My  throat  is  troubling  me  to-day. 
I  would  be  glad  to  hear  from  Thomas  or  from  any  of 
the  children. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

THOMAS. 

The  last  letter  of  those  preserved  from  Major  Jack 
son  to  his  sister  bears  date  as  late  as  April  6,  1861, 
but  two  weeks  preceding  the  day  on  which  he 
marched  from  Lexington,  under  orders  from  the 
governor  of  Virginia,  in  command  of  the  cadets  to 
report  at  Richmond.  There  is  not  a  word  in  it  indi 
cating  the  approaching  trouble.  The  reader  will 
find  revealed  in  this  letter,  however,  another  phase 
of  General  Jackson's  character, — an  open  purse  in 
the  Lord's  work. 

Lexington,  Va.t  April  6,  1861. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  : 

Your  very  kind  letter  met  with  a  welcome  re 
ception,  and  I  intended  answering  it  last  Saturday,  but 


296  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

was  prevented.     I  am  very  much  gratified  to  learn  that 

Mr. has  consented  to  aid  the  church  provided 

Mr.  P remains  with  you.     From  Grace's  letter  I  saw 

that  he  would  remain  if  a  proper  salary  could  be  raised. 
Do  what  you  all  can  to  make  up  the  amount  and  I  will 
be  responsible  for  the  rest.  I  would  rather  pay  his  whole 
salary  than  have  him  leave  Beverley  at  this  time.  I  still 

hope  that  Mr. may  become  a  Christian.     I  know 

that  the  change  to  effect  this  must  be  great,  but  who  will 
limit  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  Who  can  say  but 
that  your  prayers  and  the  prayer  of  others  may  be  heard 

for  Mr. .     For  years  I  have  been  praying  for  him 

and  expect  to  continue  doing  so.  How  great  has  been 
the  change  in  him,  to  agree  to  aid  in  preaching  the 
Gospel.  Pray  on  for  him,  and  pray  for  more  faith.  You 
speak  of  your  temptations.  God  withdraws  His  sensible 
presence  from  us  to  try  our  faith.  When  a  cloud  comes 
between  you  and  the  sun,  do  you  fear  that  the  sun  will 
never  appear  again  ?  I  am  well  satisfied  that  you  are  a 
child  of  God,  and  that  you  will  be  saved  in  heaven,  there 
forever  to  dwell  with  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord.  So  you 
must  not  doubt.  The  natural  sun  may  never  return  to 
the  view  of  the  child  of  God,  but  the  Son  of  Righteous 
ness  will.  But  there  is  one  very  essential  thing  to  the 
child  of  God  who  would  enjoy  the  comforts  of  religion, 
and  that  is  he  or  she  must  live  in  accordance  with  the 
law  of  God,  must  have  no  will  but  His  ;  knowing  the  path 
of  duty  must  not  hesitate  for  a  moment,  but  at  once  walk 
in  it.  Jesus  says,  "  My  yoke  is  easy  and  My  burden  is 
light,"  and  this  is  true,  if  we  but  follow  Him  in  the  prompt 
discharge  of  every  duty ;  but  we  mustn't  hesitate  a  mo 
ment  about  doing  our  duty,  under  all  circumstances,  as 
soon  as  it  is  made  known  to  us ;  and  we  should  always 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    297 

seek  by  prayer  to  be  taught  our  duty.  If  temptations 
are  presented,  you  must  not  think  that  you  are  com 
mitting  sin  in  consequence  of  having  a  sinful  thought. 
Even  the  Saviour  was  presented  with  the  thought  of 
worshipping  Satan.  What  could  be  more  abhorrent  to  a 
Christian's  feelings  than  such  a  thought?  But  such 
thoughts  become  sinful  if  we  derive  pleasure  from  them. 
We  must  abhor  them  if  we  would  prevent  our  sinning. 
The  devil  injects  sinful  ideas  into  our  minds  to  disturb 
our  peace,  and  to  make  us  sin ;  and  it  is  our  duty  to  see  by 
prayer  and  watchfulness  that  we  are  not  defiled  by  them. 
God  has  done  great  things,  astonishing  things  for  you 
and  your  family.  Don't  doubt  His  eternal  love  for  you. 


XXI 

HOME  UFE,— Continued 

GENERAL  JACKSON  was  very  fond  of 
children.  He  always  manifested  the  great 
est  interest  in  and  affection  for  his  sister's 
children.  He  seemed  to  ever  have  them  in  mind, 
and  when  opportunity  offered  brought  them  inter 
esting  books  and  other  presents.  He  frequently 
wrote  to  them,  encouraging  them  to  correspond 
with  him.  Some  of  these  letters  have  been  pre 
served,  and,  with  the  exception  of  those  appearing 
elsewhere  herein,  are  reproduced  in  the  present 
chapter.  In  these  letters,  and  in  his  conversation 
with  the  children,  there  was  ever  one  thought  upper 
most, — their  instruction  and  improvement ;  and  so, 
when  in  their  company,  there  was  always  some  in 
teresting  and  useful  knowledge  imparted.  Of  these 
letters,  the  one  of  earliest  date  was  written  to  myself. 

Lexington,  Va.t  Christman,  1855. 
MY  DEAR  NEPHEW  : 

Your  letter  has  given  me  pleasure  in  various 
ways.  I  am  glad  to  know  that  you  can  find  time  from 
your  play  to  write  me  so  good  a  letter,  and  hope  that  you 
will  write  frequently.  I  am  sorrow1  that  your  mule 
should  have  been  so  unmannerly ,  as  to  throw  you  off, 
and  even  after  doing  this  should  kick  you ;  but  now  since 

^•Lapsus  pennce,  and  left  for  nephew  to  correct. 
298 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    299 

your  father  has  sold  him,  all  such  accidents,  I  hope,  will 
be  avoided  for  the  future.  I  remember  having  once  been 
served  pretty  much  the  same  way  by  one  of  those  kick 
ing  creatures.  It  happened  in  this  way  :  I  went  with 
Cousin  William  Brake,  whom  your  mother  can  tell  you 
about,  to  bring  some  mules  home  one  Sunday  morning, 
and  as  I  was  riding  down  a  long  hill,  somehow  or  other  I 
not  only  got  over  the  mark  across  his  shoulders,  but  he 
got  me  over  his  head,  and  jumped  clear  over  me,1  and 
away  he  went  ;  and  from  that  day  to  this  I  have  not  been 
very  fond  of  mule-riding.  You  know  that  they  kick  out 
to  one  side  like  a  cow.  I  have  corrected  your  letter  and 
believing  that  you  would  understand  the  corrections 
better  if  I  would  return  the  letter  with  the  corrections,  I 
have  concluded  to  return  it  with  this.  And  now  I  am 
not  going  to  look  over  my  letter,  and  I  expect  that  there 
are  some  mistakes  in  it  ;  and  if  so,  I  wish  when  you  read 
it  that  you  would  point  them  out  to  your  father  or  mother 
and  tell  me  of  them  when  you  next  write  ;  and  if  there 
are  many  you  can  just  correct  them,  and  return  the  letter 
thus  corrected.  I  hope  that  you  will  get  to  a  good  school 
this  winter.  I  saw  Dr.  Bosworth  this  morning  at  the 
hotel  or  tavern  in  town.  He  is  up  paying  his  son  John 
a  visit  during  the  Christmas  holidays,  and  I  wish  that 
you  would  go  and  tell  Mrs.  Bosworth  that  I  saw  him  ; 
and  tell  her  also  that  John  is  well.  The  doctor  told  me 
that  he  thought  that  you  would  have  a  good  teacher  in 
town  this  winter.  I  hope  that  you  will  grow  up  to  be  a 
good  and  wise  man.  Give  much  love  to  your  father, 
mother,  Grace  and  Stark. 

Your  affectionate  uncle,  THOMAS. 


paragraph  is  quoted  at  pages  30  and  31,  and  would  have  been 
omitted  here,  but  could  not  well  be  done. 


300  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

The  next  letter  is  to  the  same  and  is  dated : 

Lexington,  Va.t  April,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  NEPHEW  : 

Now  for  a  letter  to  you,  but  I  would  much  rather 
talk  to  you  if  you  were  here ;  but  as  I  can't  talk  with  you, 
I  do  not  intend  biting  off  my  nose,  etc.,  by  denying  my 
self  the  pleasure  of  writing.  Thanks  to  you  for  your  cor 
rection  of  my  letter.  And  now  let  us  see  how  many 
errors  you  can  find  in  yours.  Let  us  read  your  letter 
together,  and  number  the  wrong  words.  No.  I  means 
to  exclude ;  you  wished  to  tell  me  to  receive ;  just  the  re 
verse  of  this,  and  should  have  said  accept.  No.  2  should 
begin  with  the  capital  E  because  the  word  is  an  adjective 
derived  from  the  name  of  a  nation.  No.  3  should  for 
the  same  reason  begin  with  L.  No.  4  should  be  piece ; 
look  in  your  dictionary  for  both  words  piece  and  peace. 
No.  5  wants  an  e  at  the  end.  I  hope  that  your  finger 
has  perfectly  recovered.  I  am  much  pleased  with  your 
letter,  and  want  you  to  write  often.  Your  little  sealing 
wax  experiment  has  much  gratified  me.  And  now  I 
hope  that  you  will  put  all  the  words  which  I  corrected 
for  you  down  on  a  separate  piece  of  paper  and  memorize 
them,  so  that  when  I  next  visit  you  they  can  all  be  re 
peated  by  you,  Grace  and  Stark.1  I  am  glad  to  see  them 
doing  so  well  in  their  studies,  and  if  you  study  your  Latin 
grammar  well  I  think  that  you  will  be  apt  to  like  it  after 
you  become  well  acquainted  with  it.  We  generally  like 
those  things  best  which  we  can  do  the  best.  We  usually 
find  that  the  little  boy,  who  can  run  faster  than  any  other 
boy,  fond  of  running  races,  and  the  one  who  can  read  the 
best  of  any  in  his  class  fond  of  reading,  and  the  man  who 

1  My  sister  and  brother.— T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    301 

can  talk  better  and  speak  better  than  others  fond  of  talk 
ing  and  speaking.  I  want  to  see  you  a  good  talker,  but 
especially  a  good  speaker;  and  your  Latin  is  very  im 
portant  in  making  you  a  good  speaker ;  and  so  study  it 
with  all  your  might.  Besides  the  correction  of  my  let 
ter,  let  us  see  if  you  can  correct  these  words,  viz. :  Phila- 
delfia,  inn  Pensilvania.  Give  my  love  to  all  the  family. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

Again  to  same. 

Lexington,  Va.,  November  3,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  NEPHEW  : 

Your  kind  letter  reached  me  in  New  York,  with 
your  mother's.  .  .  .  Yours  and  Grace's  daguerreo 
types,  with  the  sugar  egg,  came  into  my  possession  this 

morning  from  John  B ,  for  which  kind  remembrances 

of  me  you  must  all  accept  my  thanks.  It  was  something 
like  having  you  and  Grace  with  me  to  see  your  por 
traits.  ...  I  hope  that  your  school-mistress  has 
come  on,  and  that  you  are  all  much  pleased  with  her  and 
she  with  you ;  and  that  you  will  learn  a  great  deal  from 
her.  I  wish  that  I  could  be  with  you  all  this  evening ; 
how  delightfully  would  I  pass  my  time.  But  though  this 
pleasure  is  denied  me,  yet  I  am  permitted  to  look  forward 
to  a  coming  time  when  we  shall  again  meet  and  go  to 
gether  to  the  Sunday-school  and  to  other  places.  I  am 
in  better  health  than  I  have  been  for  a  number  of  years. 
Tell  Mr.  Thomas 1  when  he  comes  home  that  the  good 
Mr.  Lyle,2  the  one  who  kept  the  bookstore  when  he  was 
here,  and  was  the  leader  of  our  church  music,  was  struck 

1  Presbyterian  pastor  of  the  Beverley  Church. 

2  One  of  Major  Jackson's  most  devoted  friends. 


302  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

with  paralysis  last  night,  so  that  his  left  side  is  disabled. 
We  think  it  not  improbable  that  he  will  soon  bid  fare 
well  to  this  world.  But  tell  Mr.  Thomas  that  he  looks 
forward  to  a  brighter  and  happier  life  than  this.  Give 
much  love  to  your  father  and  mother,  Stark  and  Grace, 
and  remember  me  to  all  inquiring  friends,  etc.,  not  for 
getting  to  remember  me  to  the  servants.  Write  to  me 
soon. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

Lexington,  Va.,  December  /,  1856. 
MY  DEAR  NEPHEW  : 

Thanks  for  your  letter.  I  am  glad  that  your 
teacher  has  come  on  and  that  you  are  hard  studying,  and 
that  you  came  off  so  well  at  the  exhibition.  And  I  trust 
that  by  the  time  I  get  to  see  you  that  you  will  know  a 
great  deal  about  Latin  and  those  books  which  you  have 
just  purchased.  Remember  that  this  is  the  first  day  of 
winter  and  that  cold  weather  is  the  best  time  for  study, 
and  also  the  best  time  for  taking  exercise ;  and  that  the 
harder  one  studies  the  more  exercise  he  should  take,  for 
it  gives  him  a  clear  head  and  a  healthy  body.  I  am 
much  obliged  to  you  all  for  sending  those  daguerreotypes 
and  the  sugar  egg.  I  shall  have  a  great  deal  to  talk 
about  when  we  meet ;  of  the  fine  paintings  and  sculpture, 
and  beautiful  countries  through  which  I  passed  last  sum 
mer.  Tell  Mr.  Thomas  when  you  have  an  opportunity 
that  Mr.  Lyle  is  much  better,  and  that  he  can  walk  about 
some  in  his  room.  And  how  does  your  father  like  the 
new  President,  Mr.  Buch  (Buchanan)  ? 1 

While  I  was  gone  I  saw  some  funny  things,  too,  as 
well  as  pretty  ones.     I  remember  seeing  in  England,  in  a 

1  General  Jackson  was  a  Democrat.     My  father  was  a  Whig. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    303 

town  called  Chester,  about  eighteen  miles  from  Liverpool, 
which  I  will  mention  presently,  as  soon  as  I  tell  you  that 
Chester  is  a  town  with  a  wall  around  it ;  and  it  and  the 
city  of  York  are  about  the  only  cities  in  England  that  are 
still  walled.  And  the  York  walls  are  more  recent  than 
those  of  Chester,  and  hence  not  so  interesting,  as  they 
don't  tell  us  so  much  about  the  ancient  Britons.  It  ap 
pears  that  the  walls  of  Chester  were  built  by  the  Britons, 
in  order  to  protect  themselves  from  the  Welch,  who  lived 
a  little  west  of  Chester.  But  now  for  that  funny  thing, 
and  what  do  you  think  it  was  ?  Well,  I  went  into  their 
largest  church,  called  a  cathedral,  which  once  belonged 
to  the  Roman  Catholics,  and  there,  among  other  things, 
I  saw  a  representation  of  the  devil  in  the  shape  of  a  lion 
swallowing  a  man  feet  foremost.  I  never  knew  before 
that  old  Nick  lived  on  men.  And  I  saw  some  other 
things  which  I  would  like  to  talk  to  you  about.  Write 
to  me  soon.  Give  much  love  to  your  father  and  mother, 
and  to  Grace  and  Stark ;  and  remember  me  to  all  inquir 
ing  friends. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

And  again  to  the  same : 

Lexington,  Va.,  September  13,  1858. 
MY  DEAR  NEPHEW  : 

Your  interesting  letter  of  the  4th  inst.  has  been 
read  with  great  pleasure,  and  I  was  much  affected  by  the 
account  of  your  precious  mother's  illness  ;  but  I  am  thank 
ful  for  her  returning  health  and  hope  that  she  will  soon 
be  restored  to  at  least  her  usual  health.  I  have  ascer 
tained  that  you  can  get  boarding  in  the  same  family  with 
your  aunt  and  myself,  and  there  are  two  good  schools  at 


304  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

a  convenient  distance.  But  your  boarding  will  cost  you 
fifteen  dollars  per  month ;  your  washing  one  dollar  per 
month ;  and  your  teaching  will  be  thirty-seven  and  one- 
half  dollars  with  one  teacher,  or  forty-five  dollars  should 
you  go  to  the  other.  From  what  I  have  ascertained  I 
would  prefer  the  teacher  who  charges  thirty -seven  and 
one-half  dollars ;  either  one  is  good.  So  your  expenses 
for  ten  months  will  be  for  board,  teaching  and  washing 
one  hundred  ninety-seven  and  one-half  dollars  at  the 
lowest  estimate.  As  to  your  father's  inquiry  I  would 
say  that  it  is  very  important  that  you  should  continue 
your  studies  under  a  good  teacher;  and  should  you  not 
come  here,  I  hope  that  he  will  be  able  to  get  your  last 
teacher  or  some  other  competent  one  for  you.  Should 
you  not  continue  your  studies,  you  will  not  only  get  out 
of  the  habit  of  studying,  but  you  will  also  forget  more  or 
less  of  what  you  already  know.  I  hope  that  you  are  now 
and  will  always  continue  to  be  a  good  boy ;  and  if  so, 
your  mother  need  not  fear  that  you  would  give  me  trouble. 
And  I  would  be  glad  to  have  you  with  me.  I  am  glad 
that  you  have  progressed  so  far  in  your  studies,  and  wish 
you  every  success  in  them.  I  have  commenced  my  duties 
in  the  Institute ;  but  my  hearing  is  much  impaired,  and 
my  strength  a  good  deal  reduced,  although  I  have  im 
proved  very  much  since  returning  home.  As  my  eyes 
are  paining  me,  I  must  close  by  sending  love  to  your 
father,  mother,  Stark,  Grace  and  yourself,  in  which  your 
Aunt  Anna  joins  me.  Mr.  Chenowith  called  on  me  and 
told  me  about  you  all. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

The  following  letter  was  written  from  Lexington 
by  Major  Jackson  to  my  sister  Grace. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    305 

Home,  February  25,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  NIECE: 

I  was  much  pleased  to  hear  from  your  mother's 
letter  that  her  health  and  your  father's  have  been  so  good, 
and  to  hear  that  you  have  so  faithful  a  teacher ;  and  as 
you  cannot  always  have  him,  I  hope  that  you  will  do  all 
you  can  in  order  to  learn  as  much  as  possible  whilst  he 
is  with  you.  And  first  of  all,  I  want  you  to  learn  to  spell 
well;  give  particular  attention  to  spelling;  for  I  don't 
care  how  much  you  know  about  other  things,  if  you 
don't  spell  well  you  will  be  laughed  at  by  educated  peo 
ple.  I  desire  to  see  you  have  a  good  education,  and  the 
first  step  towards  a  good  education,  after  learning  the 
alphabet,  is  to  learn  to  spell  well.  If  a  person  commences 
reading  before  learning  to  spell  well,  he  will  not  be  apt 
to  ever  learn  much  more  about  spelling,  because  reading 
is  more  pleasant  than  spelling.  When  I  was  young  I 
committed  the  blunder  of  learning  to  read  before  I  had 
learned  to  spell  well,  and  though  I  am  now  thirty-six 
years  old,  yet  still  I  am  mortified  at  my  spelling  words 
wrong.  In  writing  this  letter  I  have  had  to  look  in  the 
dictionary  to  see  how  a  word  was  spelled,  and  so  I  ex 
pect  it  will  be  all  my  life  because  I  didn't  give  enough 
attention  to  my  spelling  when  I  was  young.  As  your 
memory  is  better  now  than  it  may  ever  be,  you  can 
learn  to  spell  more  easily  than  when  you  become  larger. 
When  we  are  young  we  can  recollect  much  better  than 
when  we  are  grown  up.  I  desire  to  see  you  an  educated 
and  accomplished  lady,  one  that  your  father  and  mother 
will  be  justly  proud  of.  After  learning  to  spell  very  well, 
then  I  want  you  to  read  histories,  and  travels  and  bi 
ographies,  and  such  other  books  as  will  give  you  valuable 
information.  I  also  hope  that  you  will  learn  your  geog- 


306  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

raphy  well.  My  father  and  mother  died  when  I  was 
very  young,  and  I  had  to  work  for  my  living  and  educa 
tion  both;  but  your  parents  are  both  living,  and  have 
given  you  a  kind  teacher,  and  I  trust  that  you  will  show 
them  how  thankful  you  are  to  them  by  studying  hard. 
If  you  ever  wish  any  information  which  I  can  give,  you 
must  ask  me.  I  haven't  written  to  your  mother  for  some 
time,  as  I  was  afraid  that  I  might  send  you  the  smallpox, 
but  I  don't  think  that  there  is  any  danger  now  as  all 
are  well  here  or  about  so.  I  heard  a  student  of  Washing 
ton  College  make  a  beautiful  speech  on  last  Wednesday ; 
and  as  he  is  of  the  same  name  and  county  as  your  teacher, 
I  expect  that  they  are  relatives.  Give  my  love  to  all  the 
family,  and  write  to  me  soon. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     Your  aunt  sends  love  to  you  all  and  will  write 
soon.     She  is  not  well  yet. 

Again  to  the  same : 

Lexington,  Va.t  May  7,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  NIECE  : 

Your  letter  came  safely,  and  gives  me  much 
pleasure  to  see  how  rapidly  you  progress  in  spelling. 
Every  word  of  your  letter  was  spelled  correctly,  and  I 
hope  that  all  your  words  may  always  be  treated  as  well  as 
those  contained  in  your  letter ;  for  it  is  treating  words 
badly  to  steal  a  letter  from  them,  or  to  impose  on  them  a 
letter  which  they  don't  want.  You  must  look  at  Stark's 
letters, — when  he  writes  them  to  his  sweetheart  especially. 
And  to  be  more  serious,  it  would  be  a  good  plan  for  my 
sweet  niece  and  nephews  to  examine  each  other's  letters 
when  they  contain  no  secrets,  and  in  that  way  you  will 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    307 

be  very  apt  to  find  out  all  the  counterfeit  words  which 
may  be  passing  themselves  off  on  any  of  you.  Remember 
that  there  are  a  great  many  ways  of  spelling  a  word 
wrong,  but  there  is  only  one  way  of  spelling  it  right.  I 
intended  to  send  you  with  this  letter  the  pattern  which 
you  requested,  but  your  aunt  wrote  in  my  last  that  you 
have  the  required  pattern  at  home.  The  weather  is  quite 
warm  to-day.  My  peas  are  in  bloom ;  they  commenced 
blooming  before  the  end  of  April.  I  hope  that  you  have 
a  fine  garden.  Write  to  me  whenever  you  have  leisure 
time.  I  am  glad  to  see  your  teacher  remaining  with  you. 
Your  aunt  joins  me  in  love  to  you  all.  Her  health  is 
much  improved. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.  I  am  much  obliged  for  the  sweet  flowers  you 
sent  me. 

The  following  letter  is  the  last  of  the  collection  ; 
it  is  to  the  same  niece,  and  is  dated  nearly  a  year 
later. 

Lexington,  Va.,  April  13,  z86z. 
My  DEAR  NIECE: 

I  have  been  desiring  to  answer  your  letter  for 
some  time,  but  have  from  various  causes  been  prevented. 
I  wish  I  could  see  you  again  with  me  in  Lexington ;  but 
as  I  don't  expect  to  have  that  pleasure  this  spring,  I  hope 
to  see  you  in  Beverley  next  summer.  In  regard  to  those 
little  histories  of  which  you  spoke,  I  will  try  and  get 
Mr.  Thomas  to  take  a  couple  of  them  to  you  as  a  present ; 
they  may  keep  you  reading  until  you  have  an  opportunity 
of  purchasing  yours.  And  I  think  if  you  will  write  to 
them  beforehand  that  they  will  let  you  have  them  a 


308  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

quarter  lower  than  the  retail  price,  which  was  sixty  cents. 
When  I  purchased  mine,  they  let  me  have  mine  at  forty- 
five  cents,  as  I  purchased  a  number  of  books.  And  I 
think  they  will  do  the  same  now.  I  don't  like  to  ask 
Mr.  Preston  to  carry  anything,  as  he  will  probably  not 
be  able  to  take  everything  which  he  wants  of  his  own,  in 
consequence  of  his  being  on  horseback,  and  leaving  home 
for  several  months,  and  possibly  for  a  year.  Your  aunt 
will  attend  to  your  request.  I  am  sorry  to  learn  that 
Mr.  Chenowith's  health  has  failed,  but  hope  that  he  may 
soon  be  restored.  We  have  had  very  wet  weather  here 
during  the  present  week,  but  I  think  that  it  is  probably 
about  over.  Your  aunt  joins  me  in  love  to  you  all.  She 
spoke  of  writing  to-day,  but  as  I  wanted  to  answer  your 
letter  she  consented  to  postpone  hers.  You  must  write 
to  me  often. 

Your  affectionate  uncle, 

THOMAS. 

P.  S.     I  am  gratified  to  see  from  your  letter  that  you 
are  so  much  pleased  with  Mr.  Preston  as  a  preacher. 


XXII 
IMPRESSIONS 

IN  the  present  and  succeeding  chapters  I  shall 
endeavor  to  describe  General  Jackson  as  I 
knew  him,  and  will  also  give  the  observations 
and  impressions  formed  by  others  who  were  closely 
associated  with  him  for  considerable  periods  of  time. 
Dr.  Dabney,  in  writing  of  General  Jackson,  says, 
"  His  person  was  tall,  erect  and  muscular.  Every 
movement  was  quick  and  decisive  ;  his  articulation 
was  not  rapid,  but  distinct  and  emphatic,  and  ac 
companied  by  that  laconic  and  perspicuous  phrase 
to  which  it  was  so  well  adapted,  it  often  made  the 
impression  of  curtness.  He  practised  a  military 
exactness  in  all  the  courtesies  of  good  society.  .  .  . 
His  brow  was  exceedingly  fair  and  expansive ;  his 
eyes  were  blue,  large  and  expressive,  reposing  usually 
in  placid  calm,  but  able  none  the  less  to  flash  light 
ning.  His  nose  was  Roman,  and  exceedingly  well 
chiselled  ;  his  cheeks  ruddy  and  sunburnt ;  his  mouth 
firm  and  full  of  meaning  ;  and  his  chin  covered  with 
a  beard  of  comely  brown.  The  remarkable  character 
istic  of  his  face  was  the  contrast  between  its  sterner 
and  its  gentler  moods.  As  he  accosted  a  friend,  or 
dispensed  the  hospitalities  of  his  own  house,  his 
serious,  constrained  look  gave  place  to  a  smile  so 
sweet  and  sunny  in  its  graciousness  that  he  was 

3°9 


310  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

another  man.  But  hearty  laughter  especially  was  a 
complete  metamorphosis.  His  blue  eyes  then  danced, 
and  his  countenance  rippled  with  a  glee  and  abandon 
literally  infantile.  .  .  .  Had  there  been  a  painter 
with  genius  subtle  enough  to  fix  upon  his  canvas, 
side  by  side,  the  spirit  of  the  countenance  with  which 
he  caught  the  sudden  jest  of  a  child  romping  on  his 
knees,  and  that  with  which,  in  the  crisis  of  battle,  he 
gave  his  generals  the  sharp  and  strident  command, 
*  Sweep  the  field  with  the  bayonet ! '  he  would  have 
accomplished  a  miracle  of  art  which  the  spectator 
could  scarcely  credit  as  true  to  nature.  In  walking 
his  step  was  long  and  rapid,  and  at  once  suggested 
the  idea  of  the  dismounted  horseman.  It  has  been 
said  that  he  was  an  awkward  rider,  but  incorrectly. 
It  is  true  that  on  the  march,  when  involved  in 
thought,  he  was  heedless  of  the  grace  of  his  posture ; 
but  in  action,  or  as  he  rode  with  bare  head  along  his 
column,  acknowledging  the  shouts  which  rent  the 
skies,  no  figure  could  be  nobler  than  his.  His  judg 
ment  of  horses  was  excellent,  and  it  was  very  rare 
that  he  was  not  well  mounted.  .  .  ." 

To  the  above  description  I  will  add  my  personal 
recollection  of  General  Jackson's  appearance.  He 
was  unquestionably  at  home  in  the  saddle,  and  no 
where  did  he  seem  to  better  advantage  than  when 
mounted.  In  riding  day  after  day  continuously, 
every  experienced  horseman  knows  the  relief  and 
rest  to  both  the  rider  and  horse  that  comes  from  an 
occasional  shifting  of  one's  position  in  the  saddle. 
No  one  knew  this  fact  better  than  did  General  Jack- 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    311 

son  ;  and  he  without  doubt  frequently  gave  rest  both 
to  himself  and  his  horse  in  this  way,  but  which  he 
would  not  do  when  on  dress  parade,  or  similar  oc 
casions.  General  Jackson  was  about  five  feet  eleven 
and  a  half  inches  in  height,  standing  in  his  boots  ; 
neither  sparely  nor  heavily  built ;  his  weight  would 
approximate  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  to  one  hun 
dred  and  seventy  pounds.  He  was  very  erect  in  his 
carriage,  or  when  seated.  His  walk  was  rapid,  about 
four  miles  per  hour,  rather  long  stride.  His  com 
plexion  was  blond,  though  his  hair  was  quite  dark, 
might  be  called  black,  and  inclined  to  curl ;  his  whisk 
ers,  which  covered  his  face,  were  a  very  dark  brown. 
His  eyes  were  large  and  decidedly  blue  in  color. 
He  was  of  good  features  and  good  figure,  sufficiently 
striking  in  appearance  to  cause  one  in  passing  to 
turn  for  a  better  look.  He  was  a  modest,  quiet, 
reserved  man ;  had  but  little  to  say  of  his  personal 
experiences  at  West  Point,  in  Mexico,  or  elsewhere. 
He  would,  of  course,  answer  any  inquiries  that 
might  be  made.  I  remember  asking  him  whether 
he  had  ever  been  struck  with  a  bullet.  He  replied 
that  after  the  engagement  at  Chapultepec  he  dis 
covered  the  front  of  his  coat  torn — that  he  supposed  it 
was  caused  by  a  bullet  or  fragment  of  canister.  He 
did  not  mention  to  me  the  fact,  which  since  seems 
well  authenticated,  that  in  the  same  engagement  a 
cannon  ball  passed  between  his  legs.  I  mention  the 
last  incident  as  confirming  the  statement  that  he  was 
not  given  to  speaking  of  himself.  When  in  repose, 
General  Jackson  was  rather  solemn,  serious  and  digni- 


312  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

fied  in  appearance.  In  the  care  of  his  person  and 
dress  he  was  unusually  neat  and  tidy.  I  never  knew 
any  one  to  be  more  particular  in  this  respect  than  he 
was.  His  bearing  and  demeanor  were  invariably 
that  of  a  thoughtful  and  polite  gentleman.  One 
never  heard  General  Jackson  express  unfavorable 
criticism  of  others.  Yet  his  judgment  of  men  was 
very  apt  to  be  correct ;  this  was  observable  by  his 
avoiding  as  far  as  possible  having  anything  to  do 
with  those  of  whose  methods  he  disapproved.  He 
did  nothing  by  word  or  act  to  injure  them ;  he  let 
them  alone.  For  instance,  there  was  a  distinguished 
clergyman  in  his  own  church  who  had  married  a 
lady  who  had  been  divorced  from  a  former  husband. 
Major  Jackson  never  would  attend  service  where 
this  clergyman  officiated.  If  he  had  reason  to  doubt 
the  honesty  of  a  merchant,  he  rarely  if  ever  entered 
his  store  if  the  article  could  be  procured  elsewhere. 
If  any  one  exhibited  unfriendly  feelings  towards 
him,  it  mattered  not  how  high  his  station,  Major 
Jackson  let  him  alone.  It  is  related  that  on  the  oc 
casion  of  his  first  meeting  with  President  Davis — it 
was  in  General  Lee's  presence — upon  the  latter  intro 
ducing  him,  instead  of  extending  his  hand,  Jackson 
stood  erect  and  gave  Mr.  Davis  the  formal  military 
salute.  He  had  learned  that  Mr.  Davis  had  passed 
some  unfavorable  criticisms  on  the  valley  campaign 
— presumably  the  only  person  who  ever  did  so.1 

1  The  treatment  to  which  Mr.  Davis  was  subjected  at  the  close  of  the 
Civil  War,  while  a  prisoner,  welded  public  sentiment  throughout  the 
Southern  states  into  a  concrete  mass  of  sympathy  ;  but  for  this  fact  he,  as 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    313 

Dr.  Dabney  further  says,  "  To  an  intimate  friend 
he  (Jackson)  once  remarked  that  the  officer  should 
always  make  the  attainment  of  rank  supreme,  within 
honorable  bounds,  over  every  other  consideration. 
Some  sacrified  advancement  to  Convenience,  to  secure 
service  in  a  post  where  residence  was  pleasant,  or 
to  evade  the  authority  of  a  harsh  or  unpopular 
superior  ;  but  his  rule  had  been  to  secure  promotion, 
if  possible,  at  the  cost  of  all  such  considerations ; 
because  with  the  advancement  in  rank,  the  chances 
for  distinction  must  usually  improve."  And  then 
continues,  "  But  Jackson's  love  of  truth  and  rectitude 
was  too  strong  and  instinctive  to  permit  his  thirst 
ing  for  any  other  than  deserved  distinction.  He 
drew  broadly  the  mark  between  notoriety  and  true 
fame.  .  .  .  He  had  never,  he  said,  while  an  un 
godly  man,  been  inclined  to  tempt  Providence  by 
going  in  advance  of  his  duty ;  he  had  never  seen  the 
day  when  he  would  have  been  likely  to  volunteer  for 
a  forlorn  hope,  although  indifferent  to  the  danger  of 

the  head  of  the  civil  government  of  the  Confederacy,  would  have  been 
subjected  to  much  severe  criticism,  and  he  would  have  been  far  from 
popular  in  the  South.  One  of  Mr.  Davis's  strong  characteristics  was 
his  dislikes  and  prejudice— this  unconsciously  warped  and  influenced  his 
better  judgment.  His  antipathy  to  General  Scott  was  so  intense  that  he 
could  not  look  with  favor  upon  any  who  were  admirers  of  that  general,  and 
this  seemed  to  include  many  of  those  who  served  and  gained  distinction 
under  Scott  in  Mexico.  It  was  unfortunate  that  his  judgment  was  so 
beclouded  with  prejudice  as  to  prevent  its  measuring  up  to  his  patriotism. 
It  may  never  be  known  how  far  this  unfriendly  feeling  between  Mr.  Davis 
and  General  Scott  influenced  the  latter,  probably  unconsciously,  in  re 
maining  with  the  old  army.  Scott's  words,  "  Let  the  erring  sisters  depart 
in  peace,"  would  indicate  no  unfriendly  feeling  towards  the  South  for  its 
course  in  withdrawing  from  the  Union. 


314  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

a  service  to  which  he  was  legitimately  ordered? 
"  Unaffected  modesty  was  imprinted  upon  his  coun 
tenance  and  every  trait  of  his  manners.  No  man 
ever  lived  who  was  further  removed  from  egotism. 
Even  his  most  intimate  friend  never  heard  him  men 
tion  his  own  brilliant  military  career  of  his  own 
accord."  "  His  habitual  frame  was  a  calm  sunshine  ; 
he  was  never  desponding,  and  never  frivolous.  It 
is  the  testimony  of  his  pastor  (Dr.  White)  that  he 
was  the  happiest  man  he  ever  knew."  "  In  speaking 
in  public  his  manner  was  rapid  and  emphatic,  his 
thoughts  marked  by  great  directness,  and  his  dis 
course  began  and  ended  with  exceedingly  little  of 
exordium  and  peroration.  So  complete  was  his 
success  that  he  was  said  to  have  made,  in  a  popular 
assemblage  of  his  neighborhood,  one  of  the  most 
effective  speeches  ever  heard.  It  was  but  ten 
minutes  long,  buj  it  produced  unanimity  in  an 
assembly  before  divided."  "  He  never  talked  at 
random,  even  in  the  most  unguarded  moment,  or  on 
the  most  trivial  subject.  All  his  statements  were  well 
considered."  "  He  at  all  times  preferred  the  sim 
plest  food,  and  lived  absolutely  without  any  stimulant, 
using  neither  tea,  coffee,  tobacco  nor  wine.  This 
abstinence  was  from  principle,  not  from  insensi 
bility.  .  .  .  He  became  so  chilled  on  one  occa 
sion  that  his  medical  attendant,  in  real  alarm  for  his 
safety,  urged  him  to  take  some  stimulant.  There 
was  nothing  at  hand  but  ardent  spirits,  and  so  he 
consented  to  take  some.  As  he  experienced  a  diffi 
culty  in  swallowing  it,  his  friend  asked  if  it  was  very 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    315 

unpleasant.  '  No,'  said  he  ;  '  no,  I  like  it ;  I  always 
did ;  and  that  is  the  reason  I  never  use  it}  ' 

There  were  few  persons  among  Major  Jackson's 
friends  as  near  to  him  as  was  Miss  Maggie  Junkin, 
afterwards  Mrs.  J.  T.  L.  Preston,  sister  of  Major 
Jackson's  first  wife,  and  with  whose  parents  he  made 
his  home  the  greater  part  of  his  widowerhood. 
"  She  claimed  that  Major  Jackson  never  revealed  his 
innermost  thoughts  and  feelings  to  any  human 
being  as  he  did  to  her  during  that  period.  That  the 
lonely  reserve  of  his  former  life  had  been  broken 
up  by  that  brief  year  of  sweet  companionship  with 
Eleanor."  1  "  That  it  was  a  fixed  principle  with  him 
to  wear  the  aspect  of  cheerfulness.  And  indeed  his 
nature  had  a  side  that  was  decidedly  sportive  and 
rollicking.  He  would  tell  amusing  stories,  and  be 
so  carried  away  with  them  himself  as  almost  to  roll 
from  bis  chair  in  laughter.  More  contagious  and 
hearty  laughter  I  have  never  heard.  He  used  to 
tell  of  hungry  raids  upon  Mexican  gardens,  where 
he  and  his  brother  officers  would  make  their  supper 
on  raw  quinces ;  of  his  ascent  of  Orizaba,  going  so 
high  that  the  rarified  atmosphere  forced  the  blood 
from  his  ears  and  nostrils ;  of  his  gay  delightful  life 
in  the  city  of  Mexico."  2 

In  this  connection  the  following  incident  disclosing 
the  humorous  side  of  General  Jackson's  character 

1 «  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters,"  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Preston 
Allan,  page  71,  et  seq. 

2  A  number  of  incidents  quoted  are  from  an  article  from  Mrs.  Preston's 
pen  published  in  the  Century  Magazine  in  1886.  By  permission. — T.  J.  A. 


316  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

may  be  given  as  it  was  related  to  me  by  the  late  Mr. 
J.  W.  Barclay  of  Lexington,  Virginia.1  Many  of  the 
young  men  and  boys  of  Lexington  and  vicinity  were 
in  General  Jackson's  command.  Near  the  date  of 
the  battle  of  McDowell,  the  citizens  of  Lexington 
concluded  that  it  would  be  an  opportune  time  to 
send  some  supplies,  clothing,  etc.,  to  their  sons, 
serving  under  Jackson.  Upon  discussing  the  subject, 
it  was  determined  to  send  a  committee  composed  of 
prominent  citizens  to  visit  the  army  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  place  above  named  and  take  with  them  such 
articles  as  the  members  of  the  community  might 
wish  to  forward.  The  committee  selected  included 
Mr.  Barclay's  father,  General  Francis  H.  Smith, 
Judge  John  W.  Brockenbrough  and  several  others. 
General  Jackson  knew  these  gentlemen  quite  well. 
He  extended  to  them  suitable  greetings  and  courte 
sies.  During  their  stay  at  the  camp  it  was  suggested 
among  themselves  that  the  occasion  was  a  fitting 
one  to  have  an  interview  with  the  General  in  regard 
to  his  proposed  military  operations.  (It  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  this  occurred  at  comparatively  an 
early  stage  in  the  war.)  The  committee  felt  some 
reluctance  in  approaching  the  General  on  the  subject. 
After  conferring  together,  it  was  finally  agreed  that 
the  accomplished  and  suave  Judge  Brockenbrough  be 
honored  with  their  confidence,  and  he  was  thereupon 
chosen  as  the  member  to  approach  the  General  and 
make  known  to  him  the  desires  of  the  committee. 

1  The  incident  here  narrated  has  appeared  in  print  heretofore,  but  with 
the  omission  of  some  of  the  facts  which  justifies  its  republication. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON     317 

The  selection  of  the  judge  for  this  important  mission 
is  ample  proof  of  the  wisdom  of  his  associates. 
Upon  his  approaching  the  General  and  making 
known  the  wishes  of  the  visitors,  General  Jackson 
asked  the  judge  whether  he  could  keep  a  secret;  to 
which  the  reply  was  made,  "  Why,  certainly  ;  I  think 
so,  General."  To  which,  from  the  General,  "  Well, 
Judge,  so  can  I."  It  should  be  stated  that  General 
Jackson  had  most  friendly  feelings  for  the  genial 
judge,  and  knew  perfectly  well  that  the  latter  would 
not  only  take  the  reply  good-humoredly,  but  would 
have  more  than  one  hearty  laugh  over  the  incident, 
and  which  he  thereafter  did.  I  remember  having 
heard  him,  on  one  occasion,  describe  the  interview 
in  his  most  inimitable  style.  The  General's  reply 
was  not  so  pleasantly  received,  however,  so  it  was 
said,  by  one  of  the  other  members  of  the  committee, 
to  whom  it  seemed  the  very  height  of  indignity. 

Another  incident  that  may  be  mentioned  was 
related  to  the  writer  by  Colonel  Thomas  M.  Semmes, 
a  former  graduate  and  later  a  professor  at  the  Vir 
ginia  Military  Institute.  While  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
following  the  John  Brown  raid,  Major  Jackson  and 
Semmes,  who  was  at  that  time  a  cadet,  visited 
Washington ;  and  being  there  over  night  occupied 
the  same  room  at  the  hotel.  Semmes  noticed  that 
Major  Jackson  placed  his  purse  and  watch  in  his 
sock,  and  left  it  on  the  floor,  remarking  that  he 
always  did  so,  as  a  burglar  would  be  less  likely  to 
look  there  for  it.  The  next  morning  Cadet  Semmes 
went  out  early,  and  later  met  Major  Jackson,  and 


318  EAELY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

they  started  to  go  to  the  station.  They  had  not 
proceeded  far  when  Major  Jackson  stated  that  he 
would  be  compelled  to  return  to  the  hotel.  He  did 
so,  but  arrived  at  the  station  in  time  for  the  train, 
remarking  to  Semmes  "  that  he  had  neglected  to  tell 
him  that  when  he  placed  his  purse  and  watch  in  his 
sock,  always  to  be  sure  to  take  it  out  the  next  morn 
ing."  It  appeared  that  the  Major  had  replaced  his 
socks  with  a  fresh  pair  and  left  the  soiled  ones  with 
their  contents  on  the  floor. 

Quoting  again  from  Mrs.  Preston,  she  says  "  that 
Jackson's  organism  was  of  a  singularly  sensitive 
character.  .  .  .  His  revulsions  at  scenes  of 
horror,  or  even  descriptions  of  them,  was  almost 
inconsistent  in  one  who  had  lived  the  life  of  a 
soldier.  He  has  told  me  that  his  first  sight  of  a 
mangled  and  swollen  corpse  on  a  Mexican  battle 
field,  as  he  rode  over  it  the  morning  after  the  conflict, 
filled  him  with  as  much  sickening  dismay  as  if  he 
had  been  a  woman."  1  "  That  he  never  thrust  his 
religious  views  upon  others.  The  fact  is,  he  main 
tained  a  degree  of  reticence  in  the  matter  of  alluding 
to  personal  religious  faith  that  many  Christian  men 
might  find  fault  with  ;  and  it  was  only  by  dint  of 
urgency  that  the  inmost  springs  of  action  were  often 
discovered.  In  all  the  intimacy  of  our  close  home 
life,  I  do  not  recall  that  he  ever  volunteered  any  ex 
pression  of  what  is  called  *  religious  experience/  ' 
"  No  harsh  judgments  or  criminations  were  ever 
heard  from  his  lips.  Though  most  discriminating  in 

1  Century  Magazine. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    319 

his  estimates  of  men,  he  was  reticent  to  the  last 
degree  in  passing  judgment  upon  them.  'Judge 
not  that  you  be  not  judged  '  he  understood  to  be  as 
positive  a  command  as  *  Thou  shalt  not  steal/  Yet 
he  would  say,  '  It  is  quite  contrary  to  my  nature  to 
keep  silence  when  I  cannot  but  disapprove.  Indeed 
I  may  as  well  confess  that  it  would  often  give  me 
real  satisfaction  to  express  just  what  I  feel,  but  this 
would  be  to  disobey  the  divine  precept,  and  I  dare 
not  do  it.' " 

Dr.  Dabney  says,  "Major  Jackson  was  a  man 
whom  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  know  ;  not  because 
he  sought  to  hide  himself  from  scrutiny,  nor  because 
he  was  in  the  slightest  degree  covert  in  what  he  said 
or  did,  but  because  there  was  a  breadth  and  depth 
of  character  about  him  that  would  never  be  suspected 
by  the  superficial  and  bigoted.  He  was  preemi 
nently  modest,  and  inexpressibly  opposed  to  self- 
display,  and  equally  considerate  of  the  taste  and 
character  of  those  with  whom  he  held  intercourse. 
.  .  .  His  scrupulous  and  delicate  politeness  made 
it  always  his  aim  to  render  others  easy  and  comfort 
able  in  his  presence.  .  .  .  He  never  introduced 
a  subject  merely  because  it  was  one  with  which  he 
was  most  at  home,  or  on  which  he  could  best  exhibit 
his  talents,  or  parade  his  information.  With  a 
clergyman  or  lady  he  never  introduced  politics  or 
military  science.  Having  led  the  conversation  with 
polite  deference  to  that  topic  upon  which  his  guest 
seemed  best  fitted  to  shine,  he  became  usually  an 
attentive  but  almost  silent  listener,  and  made  no  dis- 


320  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

closure  of  his  own  stores  of  knowledge,  or  of  pro 
found  and  original  reflections  on  the  same  subject, 
although  they  were  often  far  more  complete  than 
those  of  the  person  whom  he  thus  accepted  as  an 
instructor.  And  had  not  subsequent  facts  evinced 
his  superiority,  his  acquaintance  would  have  felt  it 
almost  incredible  that  one  who  was  so  well  qualified 
to  speak  with  confidence  should  so  entirely  suppress 
the  desire  to  speak.  Thus  many  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel  has  been  led  by  him  to  speak  on  ethical,  eccle 
siastical,  or  theological  subjects,  and  has  carried  away 
the  impression  that  the  modest  soldier,  although  al 
most  ignorant  of  the  alphabet  of  those  sciences,  had 
at  least  the  merit  of  an  earnest  appetite  for  the  knowl 
edge  of  them,  when  in  truth  Jackson  had  read  as  much 
upon  them  as  he  had,  and  with  more  close  attention, 
and  possessed  more  matured  opinions  concerning 
them."  "  In  the  sphere  which  of  right  belonged  to 
him,  he  rarely  if  ever  asked  advice.  No  man  knew 
his  proper  place  better,  or  held  it  more  tenaciously ; l 
and  no  man  ever  accorded  this  right  to  others  more 
promptly  or  scrupulously."  "As  a  member  and 
officer  of  the  church,  he  was  eminently  deferential 
to  his  pastor  as  his  superior  officer.  But,  as  a  com 
mander  in  camp,  he  would  no  more  defer  to  the 

1  An  instance  of  this  trait  may  be  cited.  On  one  occasion  General  Lee 
suggested  to  Jackson  the  advisability  of  imparting  information  to  his  lead 
ing  generals  as  to  any  proposed  movements  of  his  army  and  mentioned 
A.  P.  Hill,  remarking  that  anything  disclosed  to  Hill  would  be  kept  in 
strict  confidence,  and  that  such  a  course  would  relieve  him  (Jackson)  of 
much  detail  work.  Jackson  listened  very  respectfully,  said  nothing  to  in 
dicate  what  he  might  do.  He  made  no  change  whatever  in  his  policy. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    321 

judgment  of  that  pastor  than  to  that  of  the  hum 
blest  of  his  own  soldiers." 

Dr.  Dabney  in  writing  of  the  period  before  he 
attained  distinction  says,  "  In  finding  a  solution  of 
the  erroneous  estimate  of  Jackson  .  .  .  some 
thing  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  character  of  the  little 
society  in  which  he  moved.  It  was  cultivated,  but 
limited  in  extent ;  and,  accordingly,  it  had  its  own 
closely  denned  standard,  by  comparison  with  which 
every  man  was  tried.  In  a  society  more  cosmopol 
itan,  such  characters  as  Jackson  are  less  apt  to  be 
misapprehended,  because  it  consists  not  of  one,  but 
of  many  coteries,  and  because  contact  with  diversi 
fied  forms  of  talent  and  cultivation  gives  breadth  and 
tolerance  to  the  views.  This  is  but  saying,  in  sub 
stance,  what  the  voice  of  fame  has  since  pronounced, 
that  the  wider  the  arena  on  which  he  acted,  the 
greater  his  capacity  appeared.  But  there  were  al 
ways  a  few,  and  they  the  most  competent  to  under 
stand  a  gifted  nature,  who  declared  Jackson  to  be  a 
man  of  mark.  To  these  chosen  intimates  he  un 
bosomed  himself,  modestly,  yet  without  reserve. 
His  views  of  public  affairs  were  broad,  and  elevated 
far  above  the  scope  of  the  party  journals  which  as 
sumed  to  dictate  public  opinion.  His  mind  was  one 
which  would  have  made  him  a  subtile  and  profound 
jurist.  The  few  who  attributed  to  him  this  type  of 
intellect  had  their  estimate  fully  sustained  by  the 
manner  in  which  he  discussed  those  numerous  ques 
tions  of  a  judicial  nature  which  claim  the  attention 
of  the  leader  of  great  armies.  In  the  interpretation 


322  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

of  orders  and  army  regulations  ;  in  the  settlement  of 
rank  between  competing  claimants  ;  in  the  proceed 
ings  of  courts  martial ;  in  the  discrimination  between 
military  and  civil  jurisdiction,  which  is  often  so  diffi 
cult;  his  mind  always  approached  the  question 
from  an  original  point  of  view,  and  rarely  did  it  fail 
to  be  decisive  to  every  attentive  understanding. 
But  it  was  especially  in  the  discussion  of  military 
affairs  that  the  mastery  of  his  genius  appeared. 
When  these  topics  were  introduced,  his  mind  as 
sumed  its  highest  animation  ;  he  disclosed  a  knowl 
edge  which  surprised  his  auditors,  and  his  criticisms 
were  profound."  "  Every  fibre  of  Jackson's  being, 
as  formed  by  nature  and  grace  alike,  was  antago 
nistic  to  fanaticism  and  radicalism.  .  .  .  Espe 
cially  was  his  character  unlike  Cromwell's  in  its  free 
dom  from  cant ;  his  correct  taste  abhorred  it.  Sin 
cerity  was  his  grand  characteristic.  With  him  profes 
sion  always  came  short  of  the  reality  ;  he  was  incapa 
ble  of  affecting  what  he  did  not  feel.  His  action  was 
always  vigorous,  and  at  the  call  of  justice  could  be 
rigid.  Duty  was  with  him  the  ever-present  and 
supreme  sentiment.  Such  was  his  dread  of  its  vio 
lation  that  no  sin  appeared  to  him  small ;  and  the 
distinction  between  great  and  little  obligations 
.  .  .  seemed  scarcely  to  have  any  place  in  his 
mind.  To  him  all  duties  were  great."  "  The  percep 
tions  of  his  mind  were  so  vigorous  and  distinct,  and 
seized  so  exclusively  on  the  main  points  of  consid 
eration,  that  all  conclusions  were  with  him  perfectly 
defined.  Hence  there  was,  to  him,  but  one  formula 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    323 

of  words  which  gave  an  exact  expression  to  his 
thought.  If  one  complained  that  his  comprehension 
was  imperfect,  and  asked  for  another  statement, 
Jackson  had  no  answer  to  make  save  to  repeat  his 
first  formula.  Now,  to  the  leader  whose  function 
it  is  to  give  orders  to  be  obeyed,  this  trait  is  invalu 
able.  The  very  force  and  clearness  with  which 
Jackson's  mind  moved  along  from  its  premises  to  its 
conclusions  made  it  improbable  that  it  would  travel 
any  second  path,  less  plain  than  the  one  first  per 
ceived  by  his  strong  intuitions."  l 

1  Dabney,  p.  113  tt  seq. 


XXIII 
IMPRESSIONS—  Continued 

THE  following  extracts  from  an  article  which 
appeared  some  years  since  in  the  Southern 
Breeze  from  the  pen  of  Major  Geo.   P.  C. 
Rumbough,   entitled   "  An  Ex-Cadet's  Recollection 
of  Professor  Thomas  J.  Jackson  (Stonewall)/'  gives  an 
interesting  side  light  of  Major  Jackson  as  a  professor, 
and  discloses  the  relations  existing  between  him  and 
some  of  the  cadets.     To  those  who  knew  General 
Jackson  it  will  be  evident  that  Major  Rumbough  has 
written  with  the  accuracy  of  a  close  observer. 

"Silent,  strict,  precise,  his  very  attitude  in  the 
class-room  was  a  lesson  and  a  curb  to  the  cadet  stu 
dent.  Whether  in  the  class-room  or  during  the  drill 
in  battery,  frivolity  was  never  countenanced  or  for  a 
moment  tolerated.  Standing  upon  the  elevated  plat 
form  of  this  class-room,  firmly  erect,  and  in  the  ex 
act  position  of  a  soldier,  his  voice  was  firm,  quick  in 
questioning  or  demonstration.  He  was  quick  to  de 
tect  ignorance  of  the  subject  in  question,  and  equally 
quick  to  recognize  and  reward  a  thorough  demon 
stration."  .  .  .  "  Frequently  the  recitation  would 
be  so  thoroughly  satisfactory  to  the  professor  that 
with  consummate  skill,  taking  the  cue  from  his  smil 
ing  face,  some  tactful  cadet  would  lead  the  Major  by 
.  .  .  a  skillful  question  to  a  recital  of  personal 

324 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    325 

experience  in  Mexico,  where  he  won  his  two  brevets 
in  a  short  time  by  his  gallantry  in  handling  his  artil 
lery  against  the  Mexicans.  His  terse  and  vivid  de 
scription  of  the  climate,  scenery,  marches  and  inci 
dents  of  the  campaign  in  Mexico  linger  still  in 
memory  and  forges  another  link  in  loving  remem 
brance.  It  was  a  wonderful  unbending  from  recita 
tion  to  conversation.  It  was  the  quick  spoken  ques 
tion,  'How's  that?'  The  firm  mouth  between  two 
square  jaws,  the  flashing,  penetrating  eyes,  all  spoke 
duty,  duty,  duty ;  in  the  other,  there  was  a  joyous 
relaxation  of  every  lineament  of  his  face ;  the  voice 
was  modulated  in  keeping,  without  an  apparent  ef 
fort,  and  the  cadets'  tyrant  of  the  class-room  had  be 
come  the  chum  of  the  stoop.  His  extraordinary  ob 
servance  of  every  rule  of  the  institution  was  but  in 
keeping  with  every  other  rule  of  his  life.  There  was 
not  one  jot  of  subserviency  in  his  whole  career  during 
my  stay  in  barracks  as  a  cadet.  His  study,  his  ar 
tillery  drill,  his  church  and  his  every  duty  was  char 
acteristically  methodical,  and  strictly  punctual.  As 
a  professor,  he  knew  no  favorite ;  he  studied  his  pu 
pils,  weighed  them,  and  treated  them  accordingly. 
I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  a  friendly  criticism 
of  myself,  which  almost  paralyzed  my  class  of  46 
with  astonishment.  The  entire  corps  of  full  profess 
ors  sat  upon  a  raised  platform  to  hear  the  '  Original 
declamations'  of  five  or  six  of  the  contestants  for 
honors  in  the  first  or  senior  class.  Several  of  the 
speakers  were  palpably  guilty  of  barefaced  plagia 
rism  and  should  have  been  ruled  out,  but  some  pro- 


326  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

fessors,  unlike  Major  Jackson,  had  their  favorites, 
and  commented  upon  the  aspirants  in  words  of 
praise  and  commendation.  Knowing  the  status  of 
affairs,  I  was  justly  indignant,  but  helpless  and  in 
deed  hopeless.  When  I  arose,  I  confess  I  spoke 
with  fervor,  and  perhaps  my  sentences  were  lurid, 
but  not  so  much  as  to  call  for  the  profound  scoring 
accorded  me  by  the  two  highest  officers  of  the  insti 
tution.  It  had  been  the  rule  previously,  when  these 
two  worthy  critics  got  through,  to  call  upon  the  re 
maining  three  junior  professors  for  their  comments, 
which  in  each  previous  case  had  been  refused ;  but 
when  in  my  case  the  superintendent's  head  was 
nodded  to  Major  Jackson,  like  a  flash  he  answered, 
*  I  beg  leave  to  differ  with  you,  gentlemen ;  his 
words  are  his  own,  his  gestures  not  inappropriate ; 
and  as  to  his  fervid  energy,  age  and  the  man  will 
temper  that,'  etc.,  and  further  took  my  part  firmly 
and  stubbornly,  and  this,  too,  when  he  had  ordered 
me  out  of  the  section  room  the  day  before.  If  a 
shell  had  dropped  in  that  declamatory  throng,  no 
greater  astonishment  would  have  fallen  upon  those 
gaping  cadets.  It  was  the  innate  love  of  justice, 
his  religious  duty  which  always  inspired  the  soul  of 
this  great  man.  No  man  on  earth  felt  or  taught 
more  faithfully  the  necessity  of  the  faithful  perform 
ance  of  duties  prescribed,  in  whatever  form  the  ne 
cessity  arose.  A  man  of  sterling  principle,  by  lesson 
and  example  he  taught  it,  and  woe  unto  the  in- 
fractor ;  the  modest  and  polite  Christian  gentleman 
recognized  an  honest  and  conscientious  performance 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    327 

of  duty,  to  God  and  man,  above  all  the  riches  of 
earth.  I  often  noticed  him  in  extreme  excitement ; 
his  cheeks,  especially  his  ears,  got  as  red  as  hot  blood 
could  make  them ;  his  eyes  then  were  blazing.  I 
remember  an  incident  which  will,  in  a  small  degree, 
give  an  idea  of  his  nerve  and  self-control.  Barracks 
occupied  a  long  front  and  two  wings  of  the  three 
sides  of  a  rectangular  parallelogram ;  between  the 
wings  or  short  sides  was  the  arsenal  with  tin  roof. 
The  barracks  was  four  stories  high,  with  stoops,  or 
porches,  the  whole  length  of  second,  third  and  fourth 
stories.  The  four  brass  field-pieces  were  generally 
parked  in  the  space  in  front  of  the  arsenal,  and  in 
the  area  included  between  it  and  the  rectangular  in- 
closure.  During  the  drill  of  the  second  class  at  the 
guns,  I  have  known  cadets  to  throw  heavy  missiles 
upon  the  tin  roof  of  the  arsenal,  calculating  to  a 
nicety  where  the  falling  object  would  most  likely 
strike  the  instructor,  Major  Jackson.  Down  it  would 
come,  with  a  thud  to  startle  the  most  wary,  fre 
quently  grazing  the  rigid  instructor  and  falling  at  his 
very  feet,  but  never  a  notice,  a  sign  or  the  slightest 
regard  was  visible  in  his  face  or  his  actions.  The 
same  tone,  the  same  precision  of  drill,  *  Ram  home 
again,  Mr.  Hood ;  once  again,  Mr.  Hood.  Ah ! 
that's  better,'  and  so  on  to  the  end.  When  the  men 
were  dismissed,  and  the  sabre  of  the  commander 
was  returned  to  its  scabbard,  there  was  an  eagle 
glance  bestowed  upon  the  stoops,  and  woe  be  to  the 
suspect,  with  the  impudence  of  a  dare-devil ;  no 
guilty  man  could  thwart  the  scrutiny  of  that  almost 


328  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

savage  glance.  .  .  .  Thomas  J.  Jackson,  Prof. 
V.  M.  I.,  was  never  an  enthusiast,  religious,  moral 
or  political.  ...  He  was  slow  to  think,  fre 
quently  pausing  for  an  unexpected  period  to  answer 
a  question  in  the  class-room.  But  when  he  decided, 
it  came  like  a  flash.  No  man  was  farther  from  be 
ing  a  religious  enthusiast,  but  no  man  was  nearer  to 
God  in  his  religion.  .  .  .  It  was  always  a  mat 
ter  of  study  to  me  how  to  separate  the  professor  and 
officer  from  the  companion.  It  was  seemingly  like 
two  different  people,  receiving  an  order,  and  dwell 
ing  in  conversational  intercourse ;  the  man  in 
each  was  as  diverse  as  two  separate  beings  could 
be.  The  frankness,  sociability  and  winning  smile 
of  Major  Jackson  in  social  converse  was  as  captivat 
ing  as  it  was  a  source  of  joy.  I  have  attempted,  in 
my  humble  way,  to  give  an  insight  into  the  charac 
ter,  manners  and  moral  attributes  of  Stonewall  Jack 
son  as  a  preceptor,  as  I  knew  him.  In  the  light  of 
truth  and  experience  he  looms  up  to  my  vision  a 
grand  exemplar  of  a  model  teacher,  just,  ever  polite, 
honest,  faithful,  brave,  pious  in  practise  as  in  profes 
sion  ;  he  loved  God  first,  next  his  fellow  man,  and 
fought  and  died  for  his  country.  What  a  culmina 
tion  of  glorious  attributes  to  be  possessed  by  one 
soul,  who  in  their  possession  was  an  humble  follower 
of  God,  as  modest  as  a  woman,  and  could  be  as 
gentle  as  a  little  child.  .  .  .  His  life  was  a  les 
son  to  the  student,  and  an  example  for  all  man 
kind,  but  an  enigma  alone  to  the  heedless  and 
thoughtless.'^ 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    329 

The  late  Captain  A.  Elhart,  of  Rockbridge  County, 
Virginia,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  me  under  date  of 
May  31,  1913,  writes,  "In  the  winter  of  1862  I  was 
commissioned  as  captain  and  paymaster  and  assigned 
to  General  G.  W.  Smith's  command.  In  the  spring 
of  1862,  when  General  Jackson  was  ordered  to  the 
'  Valley,'  he  applied  to  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston, 
who  was  in  command  at  that  time,  to  have  me 
transferred  to  his  command.  I  was  anxious  to  be 
with  him,  as  all  or  nearly  all  of  his  troops  came  from 
the  *  Valley ' ;  but  General  Smith  would  not  consent 
to  it,  so  both  were  disappointed.  I  didn't  see  him 
(General  Jackson)  until  after  the  seven  days'  battle 
around  Richmond.  I  learned  where  his  headquarters 
were,  so  one  Sunday  morning  I  rode  to  hunt  him  up, 
and  our  meeting  was  very  cordial.  After  talking  a 
while  about  home,  etc.,  I  said,  *  General,  we  are  near 
Richmond  ;  if  you  would  ride  in  and  see  the  secretary 
of  war,  one  word  from  you  would  get  me  transferred 
to  you.'  He  looked  up  and  said,  '  Captain,  this  is 
no  Sunday  talk.  Come  and  see  me  to-morrow.'  I 
excused  myself  and  said,  '  General,  I  came  to-day 
because  I  didn't  know  whether  I  would  find  you 
here  to-morrow.'  He  asked,  '  Who  told  you  so  ? ' 
I  said,  '  No  one ;  and  I  must  quote  Scripture  on  you, 
"  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them."  '  He  then 
said,  '  Come  and  see  me  to-morrow  morning.'  So 
Monday  morning  we  rode  together  to  Richmond, 
and  as  stated,  it  didn't  take  five  minutes,  after  he 
saw  the  secretary,  until  I  received  the  order  to  report 
to  General  Jackson.  Thus  I  consider  that  he  honored 


330  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

me  ...  for  he  took  the  trouble  to  ride  four  miles 
to  see  the  secretary  in  person.  Thus  began  my  war 
family  relation  with  the  General.  I  was  with  him 
almost  daily,  usually  about  4  P.  M.,  etc.  He  was 
very  considerate  of  his  army.  He  would  see  per 
sonally  that  the  men  received  their  rations  as 
promptly  as  possible  (they  were  very  short  some 
times)  ;  neither  would  he  nor  any  of  his  staff  officers 
be  allowed  to  receive  anything  from  the  commissary 
until  all  the  men  were  supplied  first.  He  was  a  man 
of  the  strongest  faith  I  ever  knew.  .  .  .  All  the 
staff  officers  (some  were  no  Daniels  nor  Pauls)  ex 
perienced  a  feeling  of  protection  when,  during  the 
battle,  they  were  close  to  him.  He  would  write 
orders  sitting  on  his  '  sorrel,'  bullets  flying  in  every 
direction,  entirely  regardless  of  them.  He  was  a 
man  of  few  words  generally,  but  by  no  means 
repellent.  He  would  enjoy  a  good  joke  as  well  as 
any  one.  During  our  winter  quarters  near  Fred- 
ericksburg,  one  afternoon  when  I  went  to  see  him, 
in  talking  about  the  cruelty  of  the  war,  I  told  him, 
'It  seems  hard  to  reconcile  for  man  against  man  to 
take  the  life  of  each  other.'  After  a  little  he  said, 
'  Well,  captain,  what  would  you  do  with  the  Yankees 
if  you  had  them  in  a  nutshell  ? '  This  rather  sur 
prised  me ;  after  a  moment  I  said,  '  General,  you 
heard  my  opinion  about  taking  our  fellow  men's 
lives,  but  I  think  I  would  squeeze  them  hard,  till  they 
holloed  enough'  I  remained  at  the  same  head 
quarters  till  we  '  gave  up,'  and  served  four  full  years, 
and  under  similar  circumstances  would  do  it  again." 


XXIV 
CIVIL  WAR 

MAJOR  JACKSON  was  deeply  concerned 
about  his  native  section  of  Western  Vir 
ginia,  and  it  is  evident  from  his  letters 
that  he  hoped  and  expected  to  be  ordered  there 
upon  his  entering  the  service.  In  the  letter  to  his 
niece,  as  early  as  April  13,  1861,  at  page  307,  he 
writes,  "  I  hope  to  see  you  in  Beverley  next  summer." 
In  one  week  from  the  date  of  this  letter  he  received 
orders  to  report  at  Richmond  with  the  cadets. 
Within  a  week  after  Major  Jackson  had  arrived  at 
Camp  Lee  (Richmond),  in  pursuance  of  the  above 
order,  the  council,  seconded  by  Governor  Letcher, 
recommended  his  appointment  as  colonel  of  the 
Virginia  forces,  and  commander  at  Harper's  Ferry. 
The  next  day  the  appointment  was  sanctioned  by 
the  convention.  The  governor  handed  him  his  com 
mission  on  Saturday,  April  2yth,  and  he  departed  at 
once  for  his  command.  Colonel  J.  T.  L.  Preston,  in 
writing  to  his  wife  from  Richmond,  near  this  period, 
says,  "  Jackson  with  the  rank  of  colonel  goes  to 
supersede  General  Harper  at  Harper's  Ferry.  It  is 
most  flattering  to  him.  Say  to  his  wife  that  it  is  the 
command  of  all  others  which  he  would  most  prefer. 
He  is  a  noble  fellow,  and  I  rejoice  in  his  success."  l 

1  «  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters." 
331 


332  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

In  a  letter  written  from  Harper's  Ferry  under 
date  of  June  5,  1861,  by  Major  (Colonel)  Jackson  in 
reply  to  a  letter  received  by  him  from  Hon.  J.  M. 
Bennett,  at  the  time  auditor  of  the  state  of  Virginia, 
a  talented  and  influential  friend  and  connection, 
wherein  he  had  suggested  that  Jackson  be  com 
missioned  a  brigadier-general  and  be  sent  into 
Northwestern  Virginia,  he  writes : 

MY  DEAR  COLONEL  : 

Your  very  kind  letter,  proposing,  if  I  so  desire,  to 
make  me  a  brigadier-general  and  send  me  to  the  North 
west,  in  command  of  all  troops  of  that  region,  has  been 
received,  and  meets  my  grateful  approbation.  The  sooner 
it  is  done  the  better.  Have  me  ordered  at  once.  That 
country  is  now  bleeding  at  every  pore.  I  feel  a  deep 
interest  in  it  and  have  never  appealed  to  its  people  in 
vain,  and  trust  it  may  not  be  so  now.  I  agree  with  you 
fully  respecting  the  advantages  named  in  your  letter. 
...  Believe  me  with  lasting  gratitude  ever  yours, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

And  of  same  date  he  writes  to  same : 

Harper 's  Ferry \  June  3,  1861. 
MY  DEAR  COLONEL  : 

Lest  the  letter  mailed  this  morning,  and  in  which 
I  thankfully  accepted  the  opportunity  of  being  made  a 
brigadier-general  and  put  in  command  of  all  the  North 
western  troops  should  fail  to  reach  you,  I  send  this  by 
private  hands.  Please  have  me  ordered  forthwith. 

Very  gratefully  yours, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    333 

The  above  correspondence,  as  is  evident  from  the 
letter  that  follows,  addressed  to  the  same  friend,  had 
reference  to  a  commission  to  be  issued  from  the  state 
of  Virginia,  but  which  power  that  state  had  later 
delegated  or  transferred  by  agreement  to  the  Con 
federate  States  Government,  and  to  which,  in  pur 
suance  thereof,  General  R.  E.  Lee  had,  on  the  eighth 
day  of  June,  1861,  turned  over  the  command  of  the 
military  and  naval  forces  of  the  state. 

Headquarters,  First  Brigade, 

Camp  Stevens,  June  24.,  1861. 
MY  DEAR  COLONEL  : 

At  present  I  am  in  command  of  the  Virginia 
Volunteers  organized  into  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Army 
of  the  Shenandoah,  and  have  my  headquarters  on  the 
road  from  Martinsburg  to  Williamsport,  and  about  four 
miles  distant  from  the  former  place.  On  Saturday  last 
the  enemy  commenced  crossing  at  Williamsport  into 
Virginia  and  (I)  immediately  advanced  with  one  regi 
ment  of  infantry  and  a  battery  of  artillery,  but  it  amounted 
to  nothing,  as  the  enemy  recrossed  the  river  into  Mary 
land.  They  are  evidently  afraid  to  advance.  In  your 
last  letter  you  stated :  "  I  presume  all  commissions  will 
issue  from  the  Confederate  Government ;  if  so,  I  have  no 
pledge  for  any  commission,  but  I  shall  never  cease  until 
I  get  it.  You  will  hear  from  me  soon  again."  Knowing 
your  success  in  carrying  your  measures,  the  energy  with 
which  you  press  them,  and  not  having  heard  from  you, 
the  thought  struck  me  that  there  might  be  some  obstacle 
in  the  way  which,  if  made  known  to  me,  I  might  be  able 
to  remove.  I  am  in  command  of  a  promising  brigade, 
and  I  would  be  greatly  gratified  if  you  could  secure  me  a 


334  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

brigadier-generalcy,  and  if  I  cannot  be  ordered  to  North 
western  Virginia,  of  course  I  would  be  continued  in  my 
present  command,  and  as  I  am  so  far  west,  an  oppor 
tunity  might  offer  of  having  me  with  my  command 
ordered  into  that  region.  Providence  has  greatly  blessed 
me  in  securing  good  staff  officers  in  the  quartermaster, 
commissary  and  ordnance  departments,  which  are  so 
essential  to  the  efficiency  of  the  troops.  All  are  anxious 
for  active  service.  I  feel  deeply  for  my  own  section  of  the 
state,  and  would,  as  a  brigadier-general,  willingly  serve 
under  General  Garnett l  in  its  defense.  I  know  him  well. 
There  are  three  brigades  under  General  Johnston,  and  a 
few  days  since  Brigadier-General  Bee  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  one  of  them,  and  at  any  time,  so  far  as 
I  know,  another  may  be  assigned  to  the  command  of 
mine,  unless  you  can  induce  President  Davis  to  make  the 
appointment  soon  by  my  promotion.2  Please  let  me  hear 
from  you  when  convenient,  and  ever  believe  me  your 
grateful  friend. 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

P.  S.  Please  direct  your  answer  to  Martinsburg, 
Berkeley  County. 

Dr.  Dabney  in  writing  of  General  Jackson  while 
at  Harper's  Ferry  (1861)  says,  "  He  was  his  own  en 
gineer,  and  reconnoitered  all  the  ground  for  himself. 

1  General  R.  S.  Garnett  was  killed  the  following  month,  July  14,  1861, 
at  Corricks  Ford,  (West)  Va. 

3  The  letter  of  appointment  as  brigadier-general  in  the  Provisional  Army 
was  dated  June  17,  1861.  The  promotion  had  been  recommended  by 
General  Johnston,  although  it  had  already  been  determined  upon  by  the 
Confederate  Government. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    335 

He  constructed  very  few  intrenchments  ;  and,  to  the 
end  of  his  career,  it  was  characteristic  that  he  made 
almost  no  use  of  the  spade  and  pick."  "  That  he 
was  accustomed  during  the  active  campaigns  to  live 
in  a  common  tent,  like  those  of  the  soldiers."  "  From 
the  beginning  he  manifested  that  reticence  and  se 
crecy  as  to  all  military  affairs  for  which  he  was  after 
wards  so  remarkable.  His  maxim  was  that  *  in  war, 
mystery  was  the  key  to  success/  He  argued  that 
no  human  shrewdness  could  foretell  what  item  of 
information  might  not  give  some  advantage  to  an 
astute  adversary,  and  that  therefore  it  was  the  part 
of  wisdom  to  conceal  everything."  1 

Dr.  Hunter  McGuire,  late  medical  director  of 
Jackson's  corps,  relates  the  following  incident  as  clearly 
evidencing  Jackson's  tenderness  of  heart :  "  A  short 
time  before  the  second  Manassas  battle  there  came 
from  Lexington  a  fine  lad  whose  parents  were  dear 
friends  of  General  Jackson.2  The  General  invited 
him  to  stay  at  headquarters  a  few  days  before  join 
ing  his  company,  and  he  slept  and  messed  with  us. 
We  all  became  much  attached  to  the  young  fellow, 
and  Jackson,  in  his  gentle,  winning  way,  did  his  best 
to  make  him  feel  at  home  and  at  his  ease  ;  the  lad's 
manners  were  so  gentle,  kindly  and  diffident,  and 
his  beardless,  blue-eyed  boyish  face  so  manly  and  so 

1  This  same  course,  including  exclusion  of  newspaper  correspondents, 
which  Jackson  rigidly  required  is,  at  the  present  writing,  being,  for  the 
first  time  in  modern  warfare,  strictly  enforced  by  the  several  warring  na 
tions  of  Europe. 

*  Willie  Preston,  a  son  of  Col.  J.  T.  L.  Preston,  at  an  earlier  period  of 
Jackson's  staff. 


336  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

handsome.  Just  before  the  battle  he  reported  for 
duty  with  his  company.  The  night  of  the  day  of 
the  great  battle  I  was  telling  the  General  of  the 
wounded,  as  we  stood  over  the  fire,  where  black 
Jim,  his  servant,  was  making  some  coffee.  .  .  . 
I  mentioned  the  name  of  the  lad  and  told  him  he 
was  mortally  wounded.  .  .  .  The  General's  face 
was  a  study.  The  muscles  in  his  face  were  twitch 
ing  convulsively,  and  his  eyes  were  all  aglow.  He 
gripped  me  by  the  shoulder  till  it  hurt  me,  and  in 
a  savage,  threatening  manner  asked  why  I  had  left 
the  boy.  In  a  few  seconds  he  had  recovered  him 
self,  and  turned  and  walked  off  into  the  woods  alone. 
He  soon  came  back,  however,  and  I  continued  my 
report  of  the  wounded  and  dead.  We  were  still  sit 
ting  by  the  fire  drinking  coffee  out  of  our  tin  cups 
when  I  said,  '  We  have  won  this  battle  by  the  hard 
est  kind  of  fighting/  *  And  he  answered  me  very 
gently  and  softly,  '  No,  no  ;  we  have  won  it  by  the 
blessing  of  Almighty  God/  " 

It  may  be  mentioned  that  it  had  been  the  inten 
tion  of  General  Jackson,  later  on,  to  offer  the  youth 
described  a  position  as  aide-de-camp  on  his  staff. 
The  following  letter  written  by  General  Jackson  to 
Mrs.  Preston,  the  sister  of  his  first  wife,  gives  an  in 
sight  into  Jackson's  tender  feelings  as  evinced 
towards  his*  slaves.  It  is  written  from  Centreville 
(Va.),  and  bears  date  October  23,  i86i.2 

*"  Stonewall  Jackson."     An  address  by  Dr.  Hunter  McGuire. 
3 "Margaret  Junkin   Preston,  Life  and  Letters,"  by  Elizabeth  Preston 
Allan.     By  permission. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    337 

MY  DEAR  MAGGIE  : 

I  am  much  obliged  for  your  kind  letter  of  the 
1 9th,  and  for  the  arrangement  respecting  Amy  and  Emma 
(slaves  owned  by  Jackson).  Please  have  the  kindness  to 
go  to  Winny  Buck's  occasionally  and  see  that  Amy  is  well 
cared  for,  and  that  not  only  she,  but  also  Emma,  is  well 
clothed.  I  am  under  special  obligations  for  the  religious 
instruction  you  have  given  Amy,  and  hope  that  it  may 
be  in  your  power  to  continue  it.  Remember  me  to  her 
very  kindly  on  the  first  opportunity,  and  say  that  I  hope 
she  has  rich  heavenly  consolation.  This  evening  I  ex 
pect  our  own  pastor  (Dr.  White)  and  Dr.  McFarland.  I 
will  send  some  money  by  Dr.  White  for  you  to  use  as 
occasion  may  require  for  Amy  and  Emma,  and  I  will  so 
manage  to  keep  a  supply  in  the  Rockbridge  Bank,  or 
elsewhere,  subject  to  your  order.  .  .  . 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

T.  J.  JACKSON. 

And  later  to  same  on  same  subject : 

Winchester,  Va.,  November  16,  1861. 
MY  DEAR  MAGGIE  : 

More  than  once  your  kind  and  touching  letter  re 
specting  the  sainted  Amy  brought  tears  to  my  eyes. 
For  several  months  before  leaving  home  I  was  impressed 
with  her  great  devotion  to  the  cause  of  our  beloved  Re 
deemer.  She  was  evidently  ripening  rapidly  for  a  better 
world,  where  I  hope  that  we,  and  the  ransomed  of  the 
Lord,  may  be  privileged  to  join  her.  I  am  very  grateful 
to  you  for  your  Christian  kindness  to  her.  If  the  money 
I  sent  by  Dr.  White  is  not  enough  to  meet  the  little  de 
mands  connected  with  her  funeral,  please  let  me  know 
how  much  more  is  required,  and  I  will  promptly  attend 


338  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

to  having  it  forwarded.  I  am  "much  gratified  to  know 
that  you  gave  her  a  decent  burial,  and  that  so  many  fol 
lowed  her  remains  to  the  grave.  Though  such  numbers 
cannot  affect  the  dead,  yet  such  demonstrations  of  regard 
are  gratifying  to  the  living.  .  .  . 

Very  affectionately  yours, 

T.  J.  JACKSON.1 

Dr.  Dabney  says  Jackson  was  popular  with  the 
slaves.  "  He  was  the  black  man's  friend."  A  num 
ber  of  those  living  in  his  quarter  of  the  town  peti 
tioned  to  be  admitted  on  Sabbath  nights,  along  with 
his  own  servants,  to  his  evening  domestic  worship. 
He  submitted  their  request  to  his  pastor  and  the 
owners  of  the  slaves  and  their  approbation  was 
gladly  given.  He  further  says,  "  To  his  own  slaves 
he  was  a  methodical  and  exact  but  conscientious 
master.  Absolute  obedience  was  the  rule  of  his 
household ;  and  if  he  found  chastisement  was  nec 
essary  to  secure  this  it  was  faithfully  administered. 
He  required  all  his  slaves  to  attend  the  domestic 
worship  of  his  family  morning  and  evening." 

I  remember  a  short  time  after  going  to  Lexington 
of  being  with  Major  Jackson,  probably  for  a  walk, 
when  a  negro  man  approached  and  accosted  the 
Major.  My  uncle  stopped  and  had  some  little  con 
versation  with  him.  I,  of  course,  heard  the  con 
versation,  and  when  he  had  passed  on  I  made  some 
inquiries  of  him  about  the  negro  ;  he,  in  answer  to 
my  questions,  said,  "  It  is  Albert,  a  negro  man  I 

1 "  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters,"  by  Elizabeth  Preston 
Allan.     By  permission. — T.  J.  A. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    339 

bought  some  time  ago,  and  I  am  letting  him  work 
out  and  pay  for  himself  as  he  makes  the  money." 
He  further  stated  that  he  got  plenty  of  work  and 
good  wages.  My  impression  is  that  he  didn't 
charge  him  interest,  although  I  am  not  sure  of  this, 
and  that  the  negro  was  getting  along  very  well  in 
his  payments.1 

Mrs.  Preston  says,  "It  was  pleasant  to  walk 
about  the  town  with  him  (Jackson)  and  see  the 
veneration  with  which  the  negroes  saluted  him,  and 
his  unfailing  courtesy  towards  them.  To  the  old 
gray-headed  negro  who  bowed  before  him  he  would 
lift  his  cap  as  courteously  as  to  his  commander-in- 
chief." 

Dr.  Dabney  in  describing  a  visit  to  General  Jack 
son  in  the  autumn  of  1861  by  Dr.  White,  his  Lex 
ington  pastor,  accompanied  by  another  clergyman,2 
and  who  lodged  in  his  quarters  five  days  and  nights, 
preaching  daily,  writes,  "  In  the  General's  quarters 
he  found  his  morning  and  evening  worship  as  reg 
ularly  held  as  it  had  been  at  home.  Jackson  mod 
estly  proposed  to  his  pastor  to  lead  in  this  worship, 
which  he  did  until  the  last  evening  of  his  stay, 
when,  to  the  usual  request  for  prayers,  he  answered, 
'  General,  you  have  often  prayed  with  and  for  me 
at  home ;  be  so  kind  as  to  do  so  to-night.'  With 
out  a  word  of  objection,  Jackson  took  the  sacred 
volume,  and  read  and  prayed.  '  And  never  while 

1  Albert  was  still  living  in  1862.     General  Jackson  mentions  him  in  a 
letter  to  Colonel  Preston.     "  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters." 
»  Rev.  Dr.  McFarland. 


340  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

life  lasts/  said  the  pastor,  '  can  I  forget  that  prayer. 
He  thanked  God  for  sending  me  to  visit  the  army, 
and  prayed  that  He  would  own  and  bless  my  min 
istrations,  both  to  officers  and  privates,  so  that  many 
souls  might  be  saved.  He  gave  thanks  for  what  it 
had  pleased  God  to  do  for  the  church  in  Lexington, 
to  which  both  of  us  belong,  especially  for  the  re 
vivals  He  had  mercifully  granted  to  that  church, 
and  for  the  many  preachers  of  the  Gospel  sent  forth 
from  its  membership.  He  then  prayed  for  the 
pastor  and  every  member  of  his  family,  for  the 
ruling  elders,  the  deacons,  and  the  private  members 
of  the  church,  such  as  were  at  home,  and  especially 
such  as  then  belonged  to  the  army.  He  then 
pleaded,  with  such  tenderness  and  fervor,  that  God 
would  baptize  the  whole  army  with  His  Holy  Spirit 
that  my  own  hard  heart  was  melted  into  penitence, 
gratitude  and  praise,  v  .  .'  Afterwards  he  said, 
'  Doctor,  I  would  be  glad  to  learn  more  fully  than  I 
have  yet  done  what  your  views  are  of  the  prayer  of 
faith.'  A  conversation  then  commenced  which  was 
continued  long  after  the  hour  of  midnight,  in  which, 
it  is  candidly  confessed,  the  pastor  received  more 
instruction  than  he  imparted." 

"  General  Jackson  was  always  concerned  for  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  his  soldiers.  And  as  illustrating 
the  liberality  of  his  religious  views  in  relation  to 
securing  chaplains  in  the  army,  he  wrote:  'Each 
branch  of  the  church  should  send  into  the  army 
some  of  its  most  prominent  ministers  who  are  dis 
tinguished  for  their  piety,  talents  and  zeal;  and 


GENERAL   JACKSON,   AT  WINCHESTER,   VA.,   IN    1862. 

"  Send  more  men  and  fewer  orders."    Telegram  to  Con 
federate  War  Department. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    341 

such  ministers  should  labor  to  produce  concert  of 
action  among  chaplains  and  Christians  in  the  army. 
These  ministers  should  give  special  attention  to 
preaching  to  regiments  which  are  without  chaplains, 
and  induce  them  to  take  steps  to  get  chaplains,  to 
let  the  regiments  name  the  denomination  from  which 
they  desire  chaplains  selected,  and  then  to  see  that 
suitable  chaplains  are  secured.  A  bad  selection  of  a 
chaplain  may  prove  a  curse  instead  of  a  blessing. 
If  the  few  prominent  ministers  thus  connected  with 
each  army  would  cordially  cooperate,  I  believe  that 
glorious  fruits  would  be  the  result.  Denominational 
distinctions  should  be  kept  out  of  view  and  not 
touched  upon ;  and,  as  a  general  rule,  I  do  not 
think  that  a  chaplain  who  would  preach  denomina 
tional  sermons  should  be  in  the  army.  His  congre 
gation  is  his  regiment,  and  it  is  composed  of  persons 
of  various  denominations.  I  would  like  to  see  no 
question  asked  in  the  army  as  to  what  denomination 
a  chaplain  belongs,  but  let  the  question  be,  "  Does 
he  preach  the  Gospel  ? "  The  neglect  of  spiritual 
interests  in  the  army  may  be  partially  seen  in  the 
fact  that  not  half  of  my  regiments  have  chaplains.'  "  * 

1 "  Life  of  Jackson,"  Dabney. 


XXV 

IMPRESSIONS— DEATH 

IN  the  opinion  of  the  writer  the  person  never 
lived  who  could  fathom  the  depth  of  General 
Jackson's  mind.  This  is  exemplified  fully  and 
frequently  in  his  career  in  the  Civil  War.  Notwith 
standing  the  fact  that  in  the  war  with  Mexico  he 
had  received  a  larger  number  of  promotions  than 
any  other  of  the  young  officers  in  the  same  period 
of  time,  yet  in  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  he 
was  not  generally  regarded  as  capable  of  independ 
ent  command.  When  he  was  commissioned  a 
colonel  of  date  April  27,  1861,  that  rank  was 
thought  to  equal  his  capacity,  and  there  was  serious 
misgiving  on  the  part  of  many  as  to  the  risk  of 
placing  him  in  independent  command  of  as  impor 
tant  a  post  as  Harper's  Ferry,  upon  his  being  as 
signed  to  that  position. 

When  his  success  won  for  him  within  less  than 
two  months'  service  the  commission  of  brigadier- 
general,  the  opinion  prevailed,  and  it  was  the  subject 
of  common  remark,  that  that  was  his  limit ;  and  so 
on  through  the  several  successive  promotions,  there 
were  many  who  each  time  believed  that  Jackson 
had  been  advanced  beyond  his  capacity ;  and  this, 
notwithstanding  every  move  that  he  had  made  had 

34* 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    343 

resulted  in  success.  And  after  he  had  been  com 
missioned  a  lieutenant-general,  it  has  been  said, 
there  was  great  uneasiness  felt  on  the  part  of  many 
during  a  few  days'  absence  of  General  Lee  from  the 
army  at  Fredericksburg,  when  Jackson  was  the 
ranking  officer  present,  for  fear  of  some  occurrence 
in  Lee's  absence.  And  now  fifty  years  after  his 
death,  and  when  his  campaigns  have  been  studied 
and  discussed  by  the  military  leaders  and  students 
of  the  great  nations  of  the  world,  and  adopted  as 
subjects  of  study  in  their  several  highest  military 
colleges,  including  those  of  England  and  America, 
his  reputation  has  steadily  grown — a  fact  so  univer 
sally  recognized  that  it  might  hardly  be  deemed 
necessary  to  mention  it.  As  indicative  of  the  truth 
of  this,  and  the  interest  at  the  present  day  in  Jack 
son's  name  beyond  the  confines  of  his  own  country, 
the  following  quotation  from  a  letter  received  by  me 
from  Mrs.  Henderson,  the  widow  of  the  late  Col.  G. 
F.  R.  Henderson,  of  Lord  Roberts'  staff,  wherein, 
in  referring  to  her  distinguished  husband's  "  Life  of 
Jackson,"  she  writes,  "  Only  about  one-fourth  of 
the  copies  that  are  sold  every  year  are  sold  in  Amer 
ica." 

Mr.  Irvin  S.  Cobb  writes l  that  Lord  NorthclifTe, 
John  T.  McCutcheon  and  himself  spent  the  day  at 
Lord  Roberts'  home  in  Surrey.  "  In  speaking  of  the 
American  Civil  War  Lord  Roberts 2  said,  *  America 
produced  some  magnificent  soldiers  in  those  four 

1  The  Saturday  Evening  Post,  December,  1914. 

2  Commander-in-chief  of  the  British  Army. 


344  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

years,  and  the  greatest  of  them,  to  my  way  of  think 
ing,  was  Stonewall  Jackson. 

"  '  In  my  opinion  Stonewall  Jackson  was  one  of  the 
greatest  natural  military  geniuses  the  world  ever 
saw.  I  will  go  even  further  than  that — as  a  cam 
paigner  in  the  field  he  never  had  a  superior.  In 
some  respects  I  doubt  whether  he  ever  had  an  equal.' 

"  Some  of  us  mentioned  that  it  was  said  of  Jack 
son  that  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  read  only 
two  books,  the  Bible  and  the  campaigns  of  Napo 
leon.  '  Not  so  bad  a  choice,  if  a  man  had  to  confine 
his  library  to  only  two  ;books/  said  Lord  Roberts, 
'an  admirable  choice  for  a  soldier,  at  any  rate. 
Any  soldier  might  learn  much  by  studying  the  cam 
paigns  of  Napoleon,  and  Napoleon  might  have 
learned  a  good  deal,  too,  by  studying  the  campaigns 
of  Jackson,  had  the  order  of  the  times  in  which  the 
two  men  lived  been  reversed.' 

"  In  passing  through  the  library  of  the  house  we 
came  on  a  steel  engraving  of  the  Southerner,  placed 
against  the  wall  where  it  faced  Lord  Roberts  when 
he  sat  at  his  desk." 

In  the  Baltimore  Sun  of  date  July  2,  1913,  there 
appeared  an  editorial  on  General  Jackson  in  connec 
tion  with  the  erection  of  an  equestrian  statue  to  his 
memory  in  Richmond,  from  which  the  following  ex 
tracts  are  taken.  " .  .  .  Jackson  is  one  of  the 
Civil  War  figures  who  grows  larger  the  longer  he  is 
studied,  and  who  makes  an  extraordinary  appeal  to 
the  popular  as  well  as  to  the  military  imagination. 
He  was  as  strong  and  singular  in  character  as  he 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    345 

was  unusual  and  masterful  in  genius.  .  .  .  What 
Jackson  was  in  character  and  soul  innumerable  writ 
ers  have  tried  to  describe  with  more  or  less  success, 
leaving  many  of  us  still  seeing  him  as  through  a 
glass  darkly.  What  he  was  in  a  military  sense  we 
know  from  the  almost  universal  belief  that  had  he 
not  fallen  at  Chancellorsville  the  battle  of  Gettys 
burg  either  would  never  have  occurred,  or  would 
have  had  a  different  termination.  .  .  ." 

The  subjoined  account  of  the  wounding  and  death 
of  General  Jackson  is  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Hunter 
McGuire,  medical  director  of  Jackson's  corps,  A.  N. 
Va.,  who  was  Jackson's  friend  and  constant  attend 
ant  throughout  his  illness.  The  article  appeared 
in  the  Richmond  Medical  Journal  of  May,  1866,  and 
has  since  then  been  published  in  "  The  Confederate 
Cause  and  Conduct  in  the  War  between  the  States," 
by  Hunter  McGuire  and  George  L.  Christian.1 

WOUNDING  AND  DEATH  OF  JACKSON 
Supported  upon  either  side  by  his  aides,  Captains 
James  Smith  and  Joseph  Morrison,  the  General 
moved  slowly  and  painfully  toward  the  rear.  Occa 
sionally  resting  for  a  moment  to  shake  off  the  ex 
haustion  which  pain  and  the  loss  of  blood  produced, 
he  at  last  reached  the  line  of  battle,  where  most  of 
the  men  were  lying  down  to  escape  the  shell  and 
canister  with  which  the  Federals  raked  the  road. 
General  Fender  rode  up  here  to  the  little  party  and 
asked  who  was  wounded,  and  Captain  Smith,  who 

1  By  permission. 


346  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

had  been  instructed  by  General  Jackson  to  tell  no 
one  of  his  injury,  simply  answered,  "  A  Confederate 
officer ; "  but  Fender  recognized  the  General,  and 
springing  from  his  horse,  hurriedly  expressed  his  re 
gret,  and  added  that  his  line  was  so  much  broken 
he  feared  it  would  be  necessary  to  fall  back.  At 
this  moment  the  scene  was  a  fearful  one.  The  air 
seemed  to  be  alive  with  the  shrieks  of  shells  and  the 
whistling  of  bullets ;  horses,  riderless  and  mad  with 
fright,  dashed  in  every  direction  ;  hundreds  left  the 
ranks  and  fled  to  the  rear,  and  the  groans  of  the 
wounded  and  dying  mingled  with  the  wild  shouts  of 
others  to  be  led  again  to  the  assault.  Almost  faint 
ing  as  he  was  from  loss  of  blood,  fearfully  wounded, 
and,  as  he  thought,  dying,  Jackson  was  undismayed 
by  this  scene.  The  words  of  Fender  seemed  to 
rouse  him  to  life.  Pushing  aside  the  men  who  sup 
ported  him,  he  stretched  himself  to  his  full  height, 
and  answered  feebly,  but  distinctly  enough  to  be 
heard  above  the  din  of  the  battle :  "  General  Pen- 
der,  you  must  hold  on  to  the  field  ;  you  must  hold 
out  to  the  last."  It  was  Jackson's  last  order  upon 
the  field  of  battle.  Still  more  exhausted  by  this  ef 
fort,  he  asked  to  be  permitted  to  lie  down  for  a  few 
moments,  but  the  danger  from  the  fire  and  capture 
by  the  Federal  advance  was  too  imminent,  and  his 
aides  hurried  him  on.  A  litter  having  been  obtained, 
he  was  placed  upon  it,  and  the  bearers  passed  on  as 
rapidly  as  the  thick  woods  and  rough  ground  per 
mitted.  Unfortunately,  one  of  the  bearers  was 
struck  down,  and  the  litter,  having  been  supported  at 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    347 

each  of  the  four  corners  by  a  man,  fell  and  threw  the 
General  to  the  ground.  The  fall  was  a  serious  one, 
and  as  he  touched  the  earth  he  gave,  for  the  first  time, 
expression  to  his  suffering,  and  groaned  piteously. 
Captain  Smith  sprang  to  his  side,  and  as  he  raised 
his  head  a  bright  beam  of  moonlight  made  its  way 
through  the  thick  foliage  and  rested  upon  the  pale 
face  of  the  sufferer.  The  captain  was  startled  by 
its  great  pallor  and  stillness,  and  cried  out,  "  Oh, 
General,  are  you  seriously  hurt?"  "No,"  he  an 
swered  ;  "  don't  trouble  yourself,  my  friend,  about 
me,"  and  presently  added  something  about  winning 
the  battle  first,  and  attending  to  the  wounded  after 
wards.  He  was  placed  upon  the  litter  again,  and 
carried  a  few  hundred  yards,  when  I  met  him  with 
an  ambulance.  I  knelt  down  by  him,  and  said,  "  I 
hope  you  are  not  badly  hurt,  General."  He  replied, 
very  calmly  but  feebly,  "  I  am  badly  injured,  Doc 
tor  ;  I  fear  that  I  am  dying."  After  a  pause  he  con 
tinued,  "  I  am  glad  you  have  come.  I  think  the 
wound  in  my  shoulder  is  still  bleeding."  His  clothes 
were  saturated  with  blood,  and  hemorrhage  was  still 
going  on  from  the  wound.  Compression  of  the  artery 
with  the  finger  arrested  it,  until  lights  being  procured 
from  the  ambulance,  the  handkerchief  which  had 
slipped  a  little  was  readjusted.  His  calmness  amidst 
the  dangers  which  surrounded  him,  and  at  the  sup 
posed  presence  of  death,  and  his  uniform  polite 
ness,  which  did  not  forsake  him,  even  under 
these  most  trying  circumstances,  were  remark 
able.  His  complete  control,  too,  over  his  mind,  en- 


348  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

feebled  as  it  was  by  loss  of  blood,  pain,  etc.,  was 
wonderful.  His  suffering  at  this  time  was  intense ; 
his  hands  were  cold,  his  skin  clammy,  his  face  pale, 
and  his  lips  compressed  and  bloodless  ;  not  a  groan 
escaped  him,  not  a  sign  of  suffering,  except  the 
slight  corrugation  of  his  brow,  the  fixed,  rigid  face, 
and  the  thin  lips  so  tightly  compressed  that  the  im 
pression  of  the  teeth  could  be  seen  through  them. 
Except  these,  he  controlled,  by  his  iron  will,  all  evi 
dence  of  emotion,  and  more  difficult  than  this  even, 
he  controlled  that  disposition  to  restlessness,  which 
many  of  us  have  observed  upon  the  field  of  battle, 
attending  great  loss  of  blood.  Some  whiskey  and 
morphia  were  procured  from  Dr.  Straith  and  admin 
istered  to  him,  and  placing  him  in  the  ambulance,  it 
was  started  for  the  corps  field  infirmary,  at  the  Wil 
derness  Tavern.  Colonel  Crutchfield,  his  chief  of 
artillery,  was  also  in  the  ambulance.  He  had  been 
wounded  very  seriously  in  the  leg,  and  was  suffering 
intensely. 

The  General  expressed  very  feelingly  his  sym 
pathy  for  Crutchfield,  and  once,  when  the  latter 
groaned  aloud,  he  directed  the  ambulance  to  stop, 
and  requested  me  to  see  if  something  could  not  be 
done  for  his  relief.  Torches  had  been  provided,  and 
every  means  taken  to  carry  them  to  the  hospital  as 
safely  and  as  easily  as  possible.  I  sat  in  the  front  of 
the  ambulance,  with  my  finger  resting  upon  the 
artery,  above  the  wound,  to  arrest  bleeding  if  it 
should  occur.  When  I  was  recognized  by  acquaint 
ances  and  asked  who  was  wounded,  the  General 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON     349 

would  tell  me  to  say,  "  A  Confederate  officer."  At 
one  time  he  put  his  right  hand  upon  my  head,  and 
pulling  me  down  to  him  asked  "  if  Crutchfield  was 
dangerously  wounded?"  When  I  answered,  "No, 
only  painfully  hurt,"  he  replied,  "  I  am  glad  it  is  no 
worse."  In  a  few  moments  after  Crutchfield  did 
the  same  thing,  and  when  he  was  told  that  the  Gen 
eral  was  very  seriously  wounded  he  groaned  and 
cried  out,  "  Oh,  my  God."  It  was  for  this  that  the 
General  directed  the  ambulance  to  be  halted,  and 
requested  that  something  should  be  done  for  Crutch- 
field's  relief. 

After  reaching  the  hospital,  he  was  placed  in  bed, 
covered  with  blankets,  and  another  drink  of  whiskey 
and  water  given  him.  Two  hours  and  a  half  elapsed 
before  sufficient  reaction  took  place  to  warrant  an 
examination.  At  two  o'clock  Sunday  morning,  Sur 
geons  Black,  Walls,  and  Coleman  being  present,  I 
informed  him  that  chloroform  would  be  given  him 
and  his  wounds  examined.  I  told  him  that  ampu 
tation  would  probably  be  required,  and  asked  if  it 
was  found  necessary  whether  it  should  be  done  at 
once.  He  replied  promptly,  "  Yes,  certainly ;  Dr. 
McGuire,  do  for  me  whatever  you  think  best." 
Chloroform  was  then  administered,  and  as  he  began 
to  feel  its  effects,  and  its  relief  to  the  pain  he  was 
suffering,  he  exclaimed,  "  What  an  infinite  blessing," 
and  continued  to  repeat  the  word  "  blessing "  until 
he  became  insensible.  The  round  ball  (such  as  is 
used  for  the  smooth-bore  Springfield  musket),  which 
had  lodged  under  the  skin,  upon  the  back  of  his 


350  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

right  hand,  was  extracted  first.  It  had  entered  the 
palm,  about  the  middle  of  the  hand,  and  had  frac 
tured  two  of  the  bones.  The  left  arm  was  then 
amputated,  about  two  inches  below  the  shoulder, 
very  rapidly,  and  with  slight  loss  of  blood,  the 
ordinary  circular  operation  having  been  made. 
There  were  two  wounds  in  this  arm ;  the  first  and 
most  serious  was  about  three  inches  below  the 
shoulder-joint,  the  ball  dividing  the  main  artery  and 
fracturing  the  bone.  The  second  was  several  inches 
in  length  ;  a  ball  having  entered  the  outside  of  the 
fore  arm,  an  inch  below  the  elbow,  came  out  upon 
the  opposite  side,  just  above  the  wrist.  Through 
out  the  whole  of  the  operation,  and  until  all  the 
dressings  were  applied,  he  continued  insensible. 
Two  or  three  slight  wounds  of  the  skin  on  his  face, 
received  from  the  branches  of  trees  when  his  horse 
dashed  through  the  woods,  were  dressed  simply 
with  isinglass-plaster.  About  half-past  three  o'clock 
Colonel  (then  Major)  Pendleton,  the  assistant  ad 
jutant-general,  arrived  at  the  hospital,  and  asked  to 
see  the  General.  He  stated  that  General  Hill  had 
been  wounded,  and  that  the  troops  were  in  great 
disorder.  General  Stuart  was  in  command,  and 
had  sent  him  to  see  the  General.  At  first  I  declined 
to  permit  an  interview,  but  the  colonel  urged  that 
the  safety  of  the  army  and  success  of  the  cause 
depended  upon  his  seeing  him.  When  he  entered 
the  tent  the  General  said,  "  Well,  Major,  I  am  glad 
to  see  you  ;  I  thought  you  were  killed."  Pendleton 
briefly  explained  the  condition  of  affairs,  gave 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    351 

Stuart's  message,  and  asked  what  should  be  done. 
General  Jackson  was  at  once  interested,  and  asked 
in  his  quick,  rapid  way  several  questions.  When 
they  were  answered  he  remained  silent  a  moment, 
evidently  trying  to  think,  contracted  his  brow,  set 
his  mouth,  and  for  some  moments  was  obviously 
endeavoring  to  concentrate  his  thoughts.  For  a 
moment  it  was  believed  he  had  succeeded,  for  his 
nostrils  dilated,  and  his  eyes  flashed  its  old  fire,  but 
it  was  only  for  a  moment ;  his  face  relaxed  again, 
and  presently  he  answered  very  feebly  and  sadly, 
"  I  don't  know ;  I  can't  tell ;  say  to  General  Stuart 
he  must  do  what  he  thinks  best."  Soon  after  this 
he  slept  for  several  hours  and  seemed  to  be  doing 
well.  The  next  morning  he  was  free  from  pain,  and 
expressed  himself  sanguine  of  recovery.  He  sent 
his  aide-de-camp,  Morrison,  to  inform  his  wife  of  his 
injuries,  and  to  bring  her  at  once  to  see  him.  The 
following  note  from  General  Lee  was  read  to  him 
that  morning  by  Captain  Smith  :  "  I  have  just  re 
ceived  your  note,  informing  me  that  you  were 
wounded.  I  cannot  express  my  regret  at  the  oc 
currence.  Could  I  have  directed  events,  I  should 
have  chosen,  for  the  good  of  the  country,  to  have 
been  disabled  in  your  stead.  I  congratulate  you 
upon  the  victory  which  is  due  to  your  skill  and 
energy."  He  replied,  "  General  Lee  should  give 
the  praise  to  God."  About  ten  o'clock  his  right 
side  began  to  pain  him  so  much  that  he  asked  me 
to  examine  it.  He  said  he  had  injured  it  in  falling 
from  the  litter  the  night  before,  and  believed  that  he 


352  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

had  struck  it  against  a  stone  or  the  stump  of  a  sap 
ling.  No  evidence  of  injury  could  be  discovered  by 
examination  ;  the  skin  was  not  broken  or  bruised, 
and  the  lung  performed,  as  far  as  I  could  tell,  its 
proper  functions.  Some  simple  application  was 
recommended,  in  the  belief  that  the  pain  would 
soon  disappear.  At  this  time  the  battle  was  raging 
fearfully,  and  the  sound  of  the  cannon  and  musketry 
could  be  distinctly  heard  at  the  hospital.  The  Gen 
eral's  attention  was  attracted  to  it  from  the  first, 
and  when  the  noise  was  at  its  height,  and  indicated 
how  fiercely  the  conflict  was  being  carried  on,  he 
directed  all  of  his  attendants  except  Captain  Smith 
to  return  to  the  battle-field,  and  attend  to  their  dif 
ferent  duties.  By  eight  o'clock  Sunday  night  the 
pain  in  his  side  had  disappeared,  and  in  all  respects 
he  seemed  to  be  doing  well.  He  inquired  minutely 
about  the  battle,  and  the  different  troops  engaged, 
and  his  face  would  light  up  with  enthusiasm  and 
interest  when  told  how  this  brigade  acted,  or  that 
officer  displayed  conspicuous  courage,  and  his  head 
gave  the  peculiar  shake  from  side  to  side,  and  he 
uttered  his  usual,  "  Good,  good,"  with  unwonted 
energy  when  the  gallant  behavior  of  the  "  Stonewall 
Brigade "  was  alluded  to.  He  said,  "  The  men  of 
that  brigade  will  be,  some  day,  proud  to  say  to  their 
children,  '  I  was  one  of  the  Stonewall  Brigade.' ' 
He  disclaimed  any  right  of  his  own  to  the  name 
Stonewall.  "  It  belongs  to  the  brigade  and  not  to 
me."  This  night  he  slept  well,  and  was  free  from 
pain.  A  message  was  received  from  General  Lee 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    353 

the  next  morning  directing  me  to  remove  the  Gen 
eral  to  Guinea  Station  as  soon  as  his  condition 
would  justify  it,  as  there  was  some  danger  of  cap 
ture  by  the  Federals,  who  were  threatening  to  cross 
at  Ely's  Ford.  In  the  meantime,  to  protect  the  hos 
pital,  some  troops  were  sent  to  this  point.  The 
General  objected  to  being  moved  if,  in  my  opinion, 
it  would  do  him  any  injury.  He  said  he  had  no  ob 
jection  to  staying  in  a  tent,  and  would  prefer  it  if  his 
wife,  when  she  came,  could  find  lodging  in  a  neigh 
boring  house;  "and  if  the  enemy  does  come,"  he 
added,  "  I  am  not  afraid  of  them ;  I  have  always 
been  kind  to  their  wounded,  and  I  am  sure  they  will 
be  kind  to  me."  General  Lee  sent  word  again  late 
that  evening  that  he  must  be  moved  if  possible,  and 
preparations  were  made  to  leave  the  next  morning. 
I  was  directed  to  accompany,  and  remain  with  him, 
and  my  duties  with  the  corps  as  medical  director 
were  turned  over  to  the  surgeon  next  in  rank. 

General  Jackson  had  previously  declined  to  permit 
me  to  go  with  him  to  Guinea's,  because  complaints 
had  so  frequently  been  made  of  general  officers, 
when  wounded,  carrying  off  with  them  the  surgeons 
belonging  to  their  command.  When  informed  of 
this  order  of  the  commanding  general,  he  said, 
"  General  Lee  has  always  been  very  kind  to  me,  and 
I  thank  him."  Very  early  Tuesday  morning  he  was 
placed  in  an  ambulance  and  started  for  Guinea's 
Station ;  at  about  eight  o'clock  that  evening  he 
arrived  at  the  Chandler  House,  where  he  remained 
till  he  died.  Captain  Hotchkiss,  .with  a  party  of 


354:  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

engineers,  was  sent  in  front  to  clear  the  road  of 
wood,  stones,  etc.,  and  to  order  the  wagons  out  of 
the  track  to  let  the  ambulance  pass.  The  rough 
teamsters  sometimes  refused  to  move  their  loaded 
wagons  out  of  the  way  for  an  ambulance  until  told 
that  it  contained  Jackson,  and  then,  with  all  possible 
speed,  they  gave  the  way,  and  stood  with  hats  off, 
and  weeping,  as  he  went  by.  At  Spottsylvania 
Court-house,  and  along  the  whole  route,  men  and 
women  rushed  to  the  ambulance,  bringing  all  the 
poor  delicacies  they  had,  and  with  tearful  eyes  they 
blessed  him,  and  prayed  for  his  recovery.  He  bore 
the  journey  well,  and  was  cheerful  throughout  the 
day.  He  talked  freely  about  the  late  battle,  and 
among  other  things  said  that  he  had  intended  to 
endeavor  to  cut  the  Federals  off  from  the  United 
States  Ford,  and  taking  a  position  between  them 
and  the  river,  oblige  them  to  attack  him ;  and  he 
added  with  a  smile,  "My  men  sometimes  fail  to 
drive  the  enemy  from  a  position,  but  they  always 
fail  to  drive  us  away."  He  spoke  of  Rodes,  and 
alluded  in  high  terms  to  his  magnificent  behavior 
on  the  field  Saturday  evening.  He  hoped  he  would 
be  promoted.  He  thought  promotions  for  gallantry 
should  be  made  at  once,  upon  the  field,  and  not 
delayed  ;  made  very  early,  or  upon  field,  they  would 
be  the  greatest  incentives  to  gallantry  in  others. 
He  spoke  of  Colonel  Willis,  who  commanded  the 
skirmishers  of  Rodes'  division,  and  praised  him  very 
highly,  and  referred  to  the  death  of  Paxton  and 
Boswell  very  feelingly.  He  alluded  to  them  as 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    355 

officers  of  great  merit  and  promise.  The  day  was 
quite  warm,  and  at  one  time  he  suffered  with  slight 
nausea.  At  his  suggestion  I  placed  over  his  stomach 
a  wet  towel  and  he  expressed  great  relief  from  it. 
After  he  arrived  at  Chandler's  house,  he  ate  some 
bread  and  tea  with  evident  relish,  and  slept  well 
throughout  the  entire  night.  Wednesday  he  was 
thought  to  be  doing  remarkably  well.  He  ate 
heartily  for  one  in  his  condition,  and  was  uniformly 
cheerful.  I  found  his  wounds  to  be  doing  very  well 
to-day.  Union  by  the  first  intention  had  taken 
place,  to  some  extent,  in  the  stump,  and  the  rest  of 
the  surface  of  the  wound  exposed  was  covered  with 
healthy  granulations.  The  wound  in  his  hand  gave 
him  little  pain,  and  the  discharge  was  healthy. 
Simple  lime  and  water  dressings  were  used  both  for 
the  stump  and  hand,  and  upon  the  palm  of  the  latter 
a  light,  short  splint  was  applied,  to  assist  in  keeping 
at  rest  the  fragments  of  the  second  and  third  meta- 
carpal  bones.  He  expressed  great  satisfaction  when 
told  that  the  wounds  were  healing,  and  asked  if  I 
could  tell  from  their  appearance  how  long  he  would 
probably  be  kept  from  the  field.  Conversing  with 
Captain  Smith  a  few  moments  afterwards,  he 
alluded  to  his  injuries,  and  said,  "  Many  would 
regard  them  as  a  great  misfortune.  I  regard  them 

as  one  of  the  blessings  of  my  life."     Captain  S 

replied,  "  All  things  work  together  for  good  to  those 
who  love  God."  "  Yes,"  he  answered,  "  that's  it, 
that's  it."  At  my  request  Dr.  Morrison  came  to-day, 
and  remained  with  him. 


356  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

About  one  o'clock  Thursday  morning  while  I  was 
asleep  upon  a  lounge  in  his  room,  he  directed  his 
servant,  Jim,  to  apply  a  wet  towel  to  his  stomach  to 
relieve  an  attack  of  nausea,  with  which  he  was  again 
troubled.  The  servant  asked  permission  to  first 
consult  me,  but  the  General,  knowing  that  I  had 
slept  none  for  nearly  three  nights,  refused  to  allow 
the  servant  to  disturb  me,  and  demanded  the  towel. 
About  daylight  I  was  aroused  and  found  him  suffer 
ing  great  pain.  An  examination  disclosed  pleuro- 
pneumonia  of  the  right  side.  I  believed,  and  the 
consulting  physicians  concurred  in  the  opinion,  that 
it  was  attributable  to  the  fall  from  the  litter  the  night 
he  was  wounded.  The  General  himself  referred  it  to 
this  accident.  I  think  the  disease  came  on  too  soon 
after  the  application  of  the  wet  cloths  to  admit  of  the 
supposition  once  believed  that  it  was  induced  by 
them.  The  nausea,  for  which  the  cloths  were  ap 
plied  that  night,  may  have  been  the  result  of  inflam 
mation  already  begun.  Contusion  of  the  lung,  with 
extravasation  of  blood  in  his  chest,  was  probably 
produced  by  the  fall  referred  to,  and  shock  and  loss 
of  blood  prevented  any  ill  effects  until  reaction  had 
been  well  established,  and  then  inflammation  ensued. 
Cups  were  applied  and  mercury,  with  antimony  and 
opium  administered.  Towards  the  evening  he  be 
came  better,  and  hopes  were  again  entertained  of  his 
recovery.  Mrs.  Jackson  arrived  to-day,  and  nursed 
him  faithfully  to  the  end.  She  was  a  devoted  wife, 
an  earnest  Christian,  and  endeared  us  all  to  her  by 
her  great  kindness  and  gentleness.  The  General's 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    357 

joy  at  the  presence  of  his  wife  and  child  was  very 
great,  and  for  him  unusually  demonstrative.  Notic 
ing  the  sadness  of  his  wife,  he  said  to  her  tenderly, 
"  I  know  you  would  gladly  give  your  life  for  me, 
but  I  am  perfectly  resigned.  Do  not  be  sad  ;  I  hope 
that  I  may  yet  recover.  Pray  for  me,  but  always 
remember  in  your  prayers  to  use  the  petition,  *  Thy 
will  be  done/ "  Friday  his  wounds  were  again 
dressed,  and  although  the  quantity  of  discharge 
from  them  had  diminished,  the  process  of  healing 
was  still  going  on.  The  pain  in  his  side  had  dis 
appeared,  but  he  breathed  with  difficulty,  and  com 
plained  of  a  feeling  of  great  exhaustion.  When  Dr. 
Breckinridge  (who  with  Dr.  Smith  had  been  sent  for 
in  consultation)  said  he  hoped  that  a  blister  which 
had  been  applied  would  afford  him  relief,  he  ex 
pressed  his  own  confidence  in  it,  and  in  his  final  re 
covery.  Dr.  Tucker,  from  Richmond,  arrived  on 
Saturday,  and  all  that  human  skill  could  devise  was 
done  to  stay  the  hand  of  death.  He  suffered  no  pain 
to-day,  and  his  breathing  was  less  difficult,  but  he 
was  evidently  hourly  growing  weaker.  When  his 
child  was  brought  to  him  to-day,  he  played  with  it 
for  some  time,  frequently  caressing  it,  and  calling  it 
"  his  little  comforter."  At  one  time  he  raised  his 
wounded  hand  above  its  head,  and  closing  his  eyes, 
was  for  some  moments  silently  engaged  in  prayer. 
He  said  to  me,  "  I  see  from  the  number  of  physicians 
that  you  think  my  condition  dangerous,  but  I  thank 
God,  if  it  is  His  will,  that  I  am  ready  to  go."  About 
daylight  on  Sunday  morning  Mrs.  Jackson  informed 


358  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

him  that  his  recovery  was  very  doubtful,  and  that  it 
was  better  that  he  should  be  prepared  for  the  worst. 
He  was  silent  for  a  moment,  and  then  said,  "  It  will 
be  infinite  gain  to  be  translated  to  heaven."  He 
advised  his  wife,  in  the  event  of  his  death,  to  return 
to  her  father's  house,  and  added,  "  You  have  a  kind 
and  good  father,  but  there  is  no  one  so  good  and 
kind  as  your  heavenly  Father."  He  still  expressed 
a  hope  of  his  recovery,  but  requested  her,  if  he 
should  die,  to  have  him  buried  in  Lexington,  in  the 
valley  of  Virginia.  His  exhaustion  increased  so 
rapidly  that  at  eleven  o'clock  Mrs.  Jackson  knelt  by 
his  bed  and  told  him  that  before  the  sun  went  down 
he  would  be  with  his  Saviour.  He  replied,  "  Oh, 
no !  You  are  frightened,  my  child  ;  death  is  not  so 
near  ;  I  may  yet  get  well."  She  fell  over  upon  the 
bed,  weeping  bitterly,  and  told  him  again  that  the 
physicians  said  that  there  was  no  hope.  After  a 
moment's  pause  he  asked  her  to  call  me.  "  Doctor, 
Anna  informs  me  that  you  have  told  her  that  I  am 
to  die  to-day  ;  is  it  so?"  When  he  was  answered, 
he  turned  his  eyes  towards  the  ceiling,  and  gazed 
for  a  moment  or  two  as  if  in  intense  thought,  then 
replied,  "  Very  good,  very  good  ;  it  is  all  right." 
He  then  tried  to  comfort  his  almost  heart-broken 
wife,  and  told  her  he  had  a  good  deal  to  say  to  her. 
but  he  was  too  weak.  Colonel  Pendleton  came  into 
the  room  about  one  o'clock,  and  he  asked  him,  "  Who 
was  preaching  at  headquarters  to-day  ?  "  When  told 
that  the  whole  army  was  praying  for  him,  he  replied, 
'*  Thank  God  ;  they  are  very  kind."  He  said,  "  It 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    359 

is  the   Lord's   day ;   my   wish   is  fulfilled.     I  have 
always  desired  to  die  on  Sunday." 

His  mind  now  began  to  fail  and  wander,  and  he 
frequently  talked  as  if  in  command  upon  the  field, 
giving  orders  in  his  old  way ;  then  the  scene  shifted, 
and  he  was  at  the  mess  table,  in  conversation  with 
members  of  his  staff ;  now  with  his  wife  and  child  ; 
now  at  prayers  with  his  military  family.  Occasional 
intervals  of  return  of  his  mind  would  appear,  and 
during  one  of  them  I  offered  him  some  brandy  and 
water  ;  but  he  declined  it,  saying,  "  It  will  only  delay 
my  departure  and  do  no  good ;  I  want  to  preserve 
my  mind,  if  possible,  to  the  last."  About  half-past 
one  he  was  told  that  he  had  but  two  hours  to  live, 
and  he  answered  again,  feebly,  but  firmly,  "Very 
good ;  it  is  all  right."  A  few  moments  before  he 
died  he  cried  out  in  his  delirium,  "  Order  A.  P.  Hill 
to  prepare  for  action  !  Pass  the  infantry  to  the  front 
rapidly;  tell  Major  Hawks "  then  stopped,  leav 
ing  the  sentence  unfinished.  Presently  a  smile  of 
ineffable  sweetness  spread  itself  over  his  pale  face, 
and  he  said  quietly,  and  with  an  expression  as  if  of 
relief,  "  Let  us  cross  over  the  river  and  rest  under 
the  shade  of  the  trees ; "  and  then  without  pain,  or 
the  least  struggle,  his  spirit  passed  from  earth  to  the 
God  who  gave  it. 

Dr.  Dabney,  writing  of  the  death-bed  scene  and 
the  last  words  uttered,  says,  "  His  attendants,  now 
believing  that  consciousness  had  finally  departed, 
ceased  to  restrain  his  wife,  and  she  was  permitted  to 


360  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

abandon  herself  to  all  the  desolation  of  her  grief. 
But  they  were  mistaken.  Bowing  down  over  him, 
her  eyes  raining  tears  upon  his  dying  face,  and  cov 
ering  it  with  kisses,  she  cried,  '  Oh,  doctor,  cannot 
you  do  something  more  ?  '  That  voice  had  power 
to  recall  him  once  more,  for  a  moment,  from  the 
threshold  of  heaven's  gate  ;  he  opened  his  eyes  fully, 
and  gazing  upward  at  her  face,  with  a  long  look  of 
full  intelligence  and  love,  closed  them  again  forever." 
"  General  Jackson's  remains  were  shrouded  by  his 
staff,  Sunday  evening,  in  his  military  garments,  in 
cluding  his  military  overcoat.  The  governor  of  Vir 
ginia  sent  a  deputation  of  eminent  civilians  and  mil 
itary  men  to  escort  the  remains  to  Richmond,  which 
on  Monday  morning  were  conveyed  to  the  capital 
by  a  special  train,  attended  by  the  General's  staff, 
his  widow  and  her  female  friends,  and  the  Gov 
ernor's  Committee.  Business  had  been  suspended, 
and  the  whole  city  came  forth  to  meet  the  dead. 
Amidst  a  solemn  silence,  only  broken  by  the  minute 
guns  and  a  military  dirge,  the  remains  were  borne 
into  the  governor's  gates.  The  next  day,  at  the  ap 
pointed  hour,  the  hearse  containing  the  remains, 
preceded  by  two  regiments  of  General  Pickett's  di 
vision,  with  arms  reversed,  that  general  and  his 
staff,  the  Fayette  Artillery  and  Wren's  Cavalry,  the 
horse  of  the  dead  soldier,  caparisoned  for  battle,  and 
led  by  a  groom,  his  staff  officers,  members  of  the 
*  Stonewall  Brigade,'  invalids  and  wounded  ;  and 
then  a  vast  array  of  officials,  headed  by  the  Presi 
dent  and  members  of  his  cabinet,  followed  by  all  the 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    361 

general  officers  in  Richmond,  civic  dignitaries  and 
citizens.  The  procession  moved  through  the  main 
streets  and  then  returned  to  the  Capitol.  Places  of 
business  were  closed,  and  every  avenue  thronged 
with  tearful  spectators.  .  .  .  When  the  hearse 
reached  the  Capitol,  the  pall-bearers,  headed  by  Gen 
eral  Longstreet,  bore  the  coffin  into  the  hall  of  the 
lower  house  of  Congress  where  it  was  placed  upon 
a  species  of  altar,  the  coffin  enfolded  in  the  Confed 
erate  flag.  There  the  head  was  uncovered,  and  the 
people  were  permitted  to  enter  and  view  the  features 
of  the  dead  .  .  .  until  some  twenty  thousand 
persons  had  paid  this  last  tribute  of  affection. 
.  .  .  No  ceremonial  could  be  so  honorable  to 
him  as  the  tears  which  were  dropped  around  his 
corpse  by  almost  every  eye,  and  the  order  and  sol 
emn  quiet  in  which  the  vast  crowds  assembled  and 
dispersed.  No  such  homage  was  ever  paid  to  an 
American.  On  Wednesday  the  remains,  followed 
by  the  widow  and  the  General's  staff,  were  carried 
by  way  of  Gordonsville  to  Lynchburg.  At  every 
station  the  people  were  assembled  in  crowds,  with 
offerings  of  flowers.  At  Lynchburg  the  scenes  of 
Richmond  were  repeated,  and  the  remains  then 
placed  upon  a  barge  in  the  canal  to  be  conveyed  to 
Lexington.  They  reached  that  village  Thursday 
evening,  and  were  borne  by  the  cadets  to  the  Mili 
tary  Institute  where  they  were  laid  in  the  lecture 
room,  which  Jackson  had  occupied  as  professor,  and 
guarded  during  the  night  by  his  former  pupils.  Fri 
day,  the  15th  of  May,  they  were  brought  forth  to  the 


362  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

church  where  he  had  so  much  delighted  to  worship, 
and  committed  to  his  venerable  and  weeping  pastor, 
Dr.  White." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  diary  of  Mrs. 
Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  written  after  the  news  of 
Jackson's  death  reached  Lexington.  The  entry  is 
under  the  date  of  May  12,  1863  : 

"  At  five  this  evening  the  startling  confirmation 
comes,  Jackson  is  indeed  dead  1  My  heart  overflows 
with  sorrow.  The  grief  in  this  community  is  in 
tense  ;  everybody  is  in  tears.  .  .  .  Never  have 
I  known  a  holier  man.  Never  have  I  seen  a  human 
being  as  thoroughly  governed  by  duty.  He  lived 
only  to  please  God  ;  his  daily  life  was  a  daily  offer 
ing  up  of  himself.  In  his  last  letter  to  me  he  spoke 
of  our  precious  Ellie,  and  of  the  blessedness  of  being 
with  her  in  heaven."  l 

And  then  from  the  same  diary  the  following  ac 
count  of  Jackson's  burial : 

"May  1 5th,  Friday;  General  Jackson  was  buried 
to-day,  amid  the  flowing  tears  of  a  vast  concourse  of 
people.  By  a  strange  coincidence,  two  cavalry  com 
panies  happened  to  be  passing  through  Lexington 
from  the  west  just  at  the  hour  of  the  ceremonies ; 
they  stopped,  procured  mourning  for  their  colors, 
and  joined  the  procession.  .  .  .  The  exercises 
were  very  appropriate ;  a  touching  voluntary  was 
sung  with  subdued,  sobbing  voices ;  a  prayer  from 
Dr.  Ramsay  of  most  melting  tenderness ;  very  true 
and  discriminating  remarks  from  Dr.  White,  and  a 

1 «  Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters." 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    363 

beautiful  prayer  from  W.  F.  J .     The  coffin  was 

draped  in  the  first  Confederate  flag  ever  made,  and 
presented  by  President  Davis  to  Mrs.  Jackson ;  it 
was  wrapped  around  the  coffin,  and  on  it  were  laid 
multitudes  of  wreaths  and  flowers  which  had  been 
piled  upon  it  all  along  the  sad  journey  to  Richmond 
and  thence  to  Lexington.  The  grave  too  was  heaped 
with  flowers.  And  now  it  is  all  over,  and  the  hero 
is  left  '  alone  in  his  glory/  Not  many  better  men 
have  lived  and  died.  .  .  .  Sincerer  mourning 
was  never  manifested  for  any  one,  I  do  think." 

In  conclusion  it  may  not  seem  inappropriate  to 
allude  to  the  sentiment  felt  for  General  Jackson,  and 
the  esteem  which  was  entertained  for  him  by  some 
among  his  opponents  in  the  Civil  War.  Upon  the 
occasion  of  what  is  known  as  the  Hunter  Raid  to 
Lynchburg,  Virginia,  little  more  than  a  year  subse 
quent  to  Jackson's  death,  when  the  Federal  troops 
had  penetrated  as  far  as  Lexington,  where  Jackson's 
remains  had  been  interred,  Colonel  J.  M.  Schoon- 
maker,  commanding  the  Eighth  Pennsylvania  Cav 
alry  Regiment,  formed  his  command  in  line  at  Jack 
son's  grave  and  fired  a  salute  to  his  memory.1 

1  This  incident  was  related  to  the  writer  by  Colonel  Schoonmaker  sev 
eral  years  ago.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  be  able  to  state  that  this  gentleman  is 
still  living,  at  his  home,  in  Pittsburgh,  being  vice-president  of  the  P.  and 
L.  E.  R.  R.  It  should  be  further  stated  in  this  connection,  to  the  credit 
of  this  worthy  gentleman,  who  is  not  only  an  honor  to  his  state,  but  to  the 
army  in  which  he  served,  that  at  the  time  of  this  raid,  and  while  at  this 
same  town  of  Lexington,  he  was  ordered  by  the  commanding  general,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  to  set  fire  to  and  burn  the  Virginia  Military  Institute ; 


364  EARLY  LIFE  AND  LETTEES 

In  the  Press  of  date  May  18,  1863,  the  following 
item  appeared  : 

"  On  Saturday  the  military  authorities  arrested 
Colonel  Charles  S.  K.  Sumwalt,  of  the  I38th  Pennsyl 
vania  Infantry,  on  the  charge  of  disloyalty.  He  is 
charged  with  having  worn  a  crape  in  the  button 
hole  of  his  coat  out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
late  Major  (Lieutenant)  General  Jackson  of  the  Con 
federate  army.  He  is  held  for  examination." 

It  may  be  stated  that  Colonel  Sumwalt  was  a  few 
days  later  released  on  his  parole,  on  condition  that 
he  would  not  visit  his  regiment  and  that  he  would  in 
all  things  conduct  himself  as  a  loyal  citizen  of  the 
United  States. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  the  capture  of  Harper's 
Ferry  by  Jackson's  forces  when  there  were  more 
than  twelve  thousand  prisoners  surrendered  by  the 
Federal  officer  in  command,  it  has  been  authorita 
tively  stated  that  the  whole  line  of  prisoners,  as 
Jackson  passed  along,  cheered  him  loudly.1 

that  he  positively  refused  to  carry  out  the  order,  assigning  as  a  reason 
that  he  had  not  enlisted  in  the  army  for  that  purpose.  He,  in  consequence 
of  such  refusal,  was  placed  under  arrest  for  disobeying  orders,  but  was 
subsequently  honorably  acquitted.  It  may  be  further  noted  that  within 
recent  date  Colonel  Schoonmaker  has  had  conferred  upon  him  honorary 
membership  in  the  alumni  of  the  Virginia  Military  Institute,  the  buildings 
of  which  he  had  refused  to  burn. — T.  J.  A. 

1  This  well  authenticated  incident  is  related  by  General  D.  H.  Hill  in 
an  article  on  General  Jackson  published  in  The  Century  Magazine  of 
February,  1894. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    365 


Note 


Mrs.  Jackson  joins  her  husband  :  It  seems  a  singu 
lar  coincidence  that  while  the  last  page  of  my  tribute 
to  General  Jackson  was  being  finished,  and  the  sten 
ographer  was  transcribing  his  death-bed  scene  as 
described  by  Dr.  McGuire,  a  telegram  was  brought 
to  the  door  conveying  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of 
Mrs.  Jackson  the  morning  of  that  day,  March  24, 
1915,  at  her  home  in  Charlotte,  N.  C.  Her  lovely 
character  endeared  all  persons  to  her.  As  an  in 
stance  of  her  though tfulness  of  others  it  may  be  men 
tioned  that  her  last  words  were,  "  When  we  go  to 
Lexington  (for  her  burial)  be  sure  the  children  are 
left  in  safe  hands,"  referring  to  her  two  infant  great 
grandchildren.  Mrs.  Jackson  had  visited  at  my 
home  in  West  Virginia  some  two  and  a  half  years  be 
fore,  and  while  there,  learning  of  the  data  that  I  had 
been  for  years  collecting  relative  to  her  husband, 
strongly  urged  my  preparation  of  it  for  publication, 
and  from  that  time  encouraged  and  was  deeply  inter 
ested  in  its  completion.  Upon  returning  to  her  home 
from  the  visit  mentioned,  she  forwarded  to  me  a 
number  of  photographs,  including  a  daguerreotype  of 
General  Jackson,  taken  immediately  following  his 
return  from  the  Mexican  War,  for  illustrations  in  this 
volume. — T.  J.  A. 


366  EAKLY  LIFE  AND  LETTERS 

In  the  preparation  of  this  volume  the  following  pub 
lications,  among  others,  have  been  consulted^  and  in 
some  instances  quoted  from  : 

Life  and  Campaigns  of  Lieutenant-General  Thomas  J.  Jackson. 
Prof.  R.  L.  Dabney,  D.  D. 

Life  of  General  Thomas  J.  Jackson.     By  .his  wife,  Mary  Anna 
Jackson. 

Stonewall  Jackson  and  The  American  Civil  War.     Lieutenant- 
Colonel  G.  F.  R.  Henderson. 

Life  of  Thomas  J.  Jackson.     James  Dabney  McCabe. 
The  Life  of  Stonewall  Jackson.     By  a  Virginian. 
Stonewall  Jackson.     John  Esten  Cook. 
Stone  wall,  Jackson.     Henry  Alexander  White. 

The  Life  of  General  Thomas  J.  Jackson.     Sarah  Nicholas  Ran 
dolph. 

Stonewall  Jackson.     Markenfield  Addey. 
Stonewall  Jackson.     Charles  Hallock. 
Story  of  Stonewall  Jackson.     William  Chase. 
Life  of  Stonewall  Jackson.     Michael  Doolady. 
Jackson's  Valley  Campaign.     Colonel  William  Allan. 

Jackson's  Campaigns,  etc.     Thomas  Miller  Maguire,  M.  A., 
LL.  D.,  F.  R.  H.  S. 

Stonewall  Jackson.     Carl  Hovey. 

Margaret  Junkin  Preston,  Life  and  Letters.     Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Preston  Allan. 

The  Century  Magazine. 

"  The  Monongahela  of  Old."     James  Veech. 

"Reminiscences  of  West  Point  in  the  Olden  Time,"  etc. 
History  of  Harrison  County,  West  Virginia.     Haymond. 
History  of  Randolph  County,  West  Virginia.     Maxwell. 


THOMAS  J.  (STONEWALL)  JACKSON    367 

The  Confederate  Cause  and  Conduct  in  the  War  Between  the 
States.  Hunter  McGuire,  M.  D.,  LL.  D.,  late  Medical 
Director  Jackson's  Corps,  A.  N.  V.,  and  Hon.  Geo.  L. 
Christian. 

Personal  Recollections  of  Stonewall  Jackson.  Major  John  G. 
Gittings. 

Discourses  on  the  Life  and  Character  of  Lieutenant-General 
Thomas  J.  Jackson.  General  Francis  H.  Smith,  A.  M. 

Scott's  Memoirs. 

The  Several  Standard  Encyclopaedias. 


Index 


ADAMS  &  Co.,  147 

Adjutant-General  (Dabney),  24,52 

Aix  La  Chapelle,  248 

Albert,  slave,  338,  339 

Alburtis,  Captain,  85 

Aldie,  Va.,  47 

Alhambra,  Granada,  253 

Allan,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Preston,  315, 

336»  338 

Alleghany  Mountain,  40 
Alleman,  Don  Lucas,  136 
Allen,  Judge  John  J.,  196 
Allen,  Mrs.  John  J.,  42,  196 
Almeda,  136 
Alps,  248 
Alum  Springs,   179,  186-7,  I9°-I» 

196 

America,  251,  343 
American  army,  87,  94-7,  99,  IOO- 

3,   105,   109,   112-13,    119,  124, 

128 

Amphidia,  General,  no 
Amy  and  Emma,  slaves,  337 
Ancient  Jewish  Priests,  272 
Anderson,  Miss  Anna,  234 
Antwerp,  248-9 
Appletons,  149,  150 
Archbishop's  carriage,  138 
Argonauts  of  '49,  32 
Arkansas,  244 
Arnold,    Anna    Grace,    159,    161, 

181,  184-5,  J94»  205»  2o8»  262- 

5»  275»  279-8o,  296,  299,  300-7, 

331 

Arnold,  Captain,  147 

Arnold,  Grace,  201 

Arnold,  Jonathan  (brother-in-law 
of  General  T.  J.  Jackson),  38, 
42,  68,  73,  85,  92,  128,  132, 
135,  139,  143-9,  15°-1,  I57~8, 
160-1,  163-5,  169,  170,  172, 
178,  181-2,  184-5,  I87»  *93» 


200,    206-8,   212,  222,  224,  232- 

6, 244-5,  248,  262-3,  268,  273-7, 

279-80,  287,  293,  299,  302-5 

Arnold,  Mrs.  Laura  A.  (sister  of 
General  T.  J.  Jackson),  68-72, 
74,  78-9,  83,  87,  91-2,  119,  125, 
128,  130-1,  135,  137,  140,  142- 
4,  146,  148-51,  153-4,  157-8, 
160-4,  167-8,  170,  172-3,  178- 
9,  181-3,  186-7,  190-4,  197, 

199,     201,     203-6,     208,    210-12, 

217,  219-22,  224-6,  228-9,  23I- 
2>  235.  i237-8,  242-3,  246,  249- 
50,  252,  254,  256-7,  260-2, 264- 
9,  273-5,  277-82,  284-9,  29i, 
294-5,  299,  302-5 
Arnold,  Stark  W.,  191,  203,  264, 

275»  299,  3°°»  302-4»  306 
Arnold,  Thomas  J.,  30,  34,  41-2, 
46,  52,  92,   113,   126,  129,  135, 
139,  162,  166, 169,  173,  179, 181, 
183-6,    191,    193-4,    203,  205, 

212,  2l6,  221-4,  227,  236-7, 
239-40,  243,  245,  250,  259,  26l- 

4,  266-9,  275>  279,  292-5>  298, 
300-3,  315-16,  336,  338,  364-5 

Arnold,  Wm.  E.,  277 

Artillery,  78-9,  8l,  95,  113,  115, 
272 

Asbury,  Bishop,  44 

Auditor  of  Virginia,  52 

Ayotla,  97-8,  121 

BADEN  BADEN,  248 
Baldwin,  Mr.  O.  P.,  250 
Baltimore,    158,    217,   265,  282-3, 

285 

Baltimore  Sun,  344 
Baptist  Church,  Brad  Run,  66 
Barclay,  Mr.  J.  W.,  316 
Basle,  248 
Bassel,  Benjamin,  277 


369 


370 


INDEX 


Bath  Alurii  Springs,  179 
Beauregard,    P.    G.    T.  (General, 

C.  S.  A.),  97.  "oi.  "22 
Beaver  Creek  Bridge,  179 
Bee,  Barnard  E.  (General,  C.  S.  A.), 

no-ii,  122,  334 
Belen  gate,  112 
Belgium,  248 
Belleville,  32 
Bennett,    Hon.    J.    M.,    52,   277, 

332-3 

Berne,  248 

Beverley,  (W.)  Va.,  65,  78,  81,  92, 
141-3,  145,  154,  158,  166,  170, 
178,  181,  183,  185,  187-9,  205, 

212,      2l8,      221-2,     228,     233-7, 

241,  243-4,  252-3,  256,  268-9, 

275,281,289,291,296,307,331 

Black,  Dr.,  349 

Bledsoe,  Mr.,  217 

Blowing  Cave,  179 

Board  of  Visitors,  V.  M.  I.,  171, 

173-4,  202 
Bonn,  248 

Boswell,  Captain,  354 
Bosworth,  Mr.  J.  B.,  301 
Bos  worth,   Dr.,   Squire,   203,   212, 

226,  239,  243,  299 
Bragg,  Braxton  (General,  C.  S.  A.), 

85 

Brake,  Mr.  A.  (uncle  by  mar 
riage  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson), 
28-30 

Brake,  William,  30,  299 

Brannon,  Hon.  Henry,  59 

Brattleboro,  Vt.,  282,  284 

Breckinridge,  Dr.,  357 

Brienz,  248 

Britons,  303 

Britton,  Forbes,  70 

Brockenbrough,  Judge  John  W., 
192,  198,  316-17 

Brown,  John,  raid,  215,  293 

Brussels,  248-9 

Buchanan,  Va.,  183 

Buckhannon  River,  (W.)  Va.,  40 

Buckhannon,  39,  40,  44 

Buena  Vista,  Battle  of,  82,  84,  90, 
95,  102 

Buftalo,  40 


CADWALLADER,  GENERAL,  100-1, 
no 

Calais,  249 

California,    32-3,    53,   57-60,   79, 
148,    152,    162,    176,    187,    198, 

210,  220-1,  243,  252 

California  gold  excitement,  57-8 
Camargo,  82-3 
Campbell,  Mr.,  134 
Camp  Lee,  Richmond,  331 
Camp  Stevens,  (W.)  Va.,  333 
Canada,  161 

Capitol,  Richmond,  Va.,  360 
Carey,  Mr.  Wilson  Miles,  217 
Carlisle  Barracks,  142,  157 
Carlisle,   Hon.  John  S.,  144,  158, 

170-2 

Carnochan,  Dr.,  265 
Casey,  Captain,  1 10 
Cataract  House,  206 
Cathedral  of  Chester,  253,  303 
Catholic  ecclesiastics  and  Church, 

126-8 

Cecil  County,  Md.,  39 
Centreville,  336 
Cerro  Gordo,  86,  89,  121 
Chair  of  Mathematics,  214 
Chancellorsville,  117,345 
Chandler  House,  353,  355 
Chaplains,  340-1 
Chapultepec,    Castle    of,    105-11, 

113-19,  122-3,  13°>  J76»  3"" 
Charles  I,  251 
Charlestown,  215,  276 
Charlotte,  N.  C.,  365 
Chenowith,  Major  Joseph  H.,  261, 

276,  285,  304,  308 
Chester,  England,  249-50,  253,  303 
Chihuahua,  138 
Childs,  Colonel,  91 
Cholera,  147,  152 
Christian,  Colonel  George  L.,  345 
Churubusco,  102,  104, 113,  118, 122 
Civil  War,  24,  42,  52,  56,  76,  ill, 

122-3,    "68,    173,   214-15,  232, 

236,  240,  244,  312,  342,  344,363 
Clarksburg,  25-9,  38-9,  44,  47,  53, 

70,  143,  154,  192,  228,  242,  244, 

257 
Clay,  Henry,  159 


INDEX 


371 


Cobb,  Mr.  Irvin  S.,  343 
Coleman,  Dr.,  349 
Collector  U.  S.  Excise  Tax,  26 
Collett,  Rev.  Thomas,  175 
Confederacy,  Southern,  313 
Confederate  army,  61,  III 
Confederate  flag,  363 
Confederate  Government,  333-4 
Confederate    Museum,   Richmond, 

201 

Congress,  40-2,  144,  171 
Congressional  Directory,  41 
Connecticut  River,  285 
Conrad,  Peter,  145,  146 
Constable,  35,  52 
Constitution  of  the  U.  S.,  41,  294 
Contreras,    99-101,     104,    113-14, 

118,  121,  123,  138 
Convention,  Virginia  State,  41,  77, 

171-2,  293 

Convicts,  Mexican,  112 
Couch,  General,  61 
Court,   Lewis   County,   (W.)  Va., 

Courtenay,  Professor,  214 

Courts  Martial,  142,  157,  161,  163, 

165,  167 

Cowen,  Mr.,  178 

Criss,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Aaron,  242-4 
Cromwell,  Oliver,  249,  322 
Crown  Point,  161 
Crutchfield,  Colonel,  348-9 
Cuba,  135 
Cumberland,  147,  149 

DABNEY,  REV.  DR.  (Major  C.  S.  A.) 
24,  29,  30,  53-4,  56,  58,  67, 
76,  95,  114-15,  117,  124,  127, 
218,  309,  313,  319,  321,  323, 

334,  338-9,  341,  359 
Davis,  President  Jefferson,  312-13, 

334,  363 

Democratic  newspaper,  70 
Dennis,  Mr.,  37 

Denominational  distinction,  341 
Dix,  James,  234,  239 
Dorman,  Hon.  James  B.,  293 
Duel,  42 

Duncan,  Captain,  85,  137 
Duncan,  Mrs.  Floride,  257 


EARLY,  JUBAL  A.  (General,  C.  S. 

A.),  122 

Early  settlements,  48 
Eaton  Hall,  249 
Edinburgh,  248-9 
Elhart,  Captain  A.,  329 
El  Penon,  97-8,  1 21 
Ely's  Ford,  353 
"  Encerro,"  138 
England,  39,  134,  249,  302-3 
English  army,  45 
English    grammar,   66,   237,   239, 

245,  266,  268,  280 
Ewell,  R.   S.  (General,  C.  S.  A.), 

122 

Europe,  246-8 

FAIRFAX  family,  25 1 

Fauquier  County,  Va.,  73 

Fayette  artillery,  360 

Fayette  County,  (W.)  Va.,  27,  229, 

240 
Federal  army,  61,  117,  173,  236, 

First  Brigade  of  the  Army  of  the 

Shenandoah,  333 
Fishburn,  Mrs.  Julia  Junkin,  226 
Florence,  248 

Florida,  166,  169-70,  172,  176 
Fort  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  165 
Fort  Columbus,  N.  Y.,  80 
Fort  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  57,  59,  80, 

144,    146,    148,    150-1,    153-4, 

160-2,  166-7 

Fort  Meade,  Fla.,  77,  166-8, 172-4 
Fort  Monroe,  Va.,  147 
Fort  Ontario,  N.  Y.,  163-4 
Fort  Putnam,  N.  Y.,  165,  205 
Fort  Ticonderoga,  N.  Y.,  163 
Fort  Washington,  160 
Foster,  General,  61 
Frankfort  on  the  Main,  248 
Franklin,  Benjamin,  46 
Fredericksburg,  330,  343 
Freiburg,  248 
French  language,  6 1-2 
Furlough,  65 

GARNETT,  R.  S.,  334 
Geneva,  248 


372 


INDEX 


Genoa,  249 

Gettysburg,  Battle  of,  345 

Gibbon,  John  (General,  U.  S.  A.), 

61,  119 

Gibson,  Mr.,  147 
Gittings,  John,  192 
Glades,  The,  265 
Glasgow,  248-9 
Goat's  Island,  206 
Goff,  Colonel  David,  172,  288 
Gordonsville,  361 
Goshen  Station,  282 
Governor's  Island,  140 
Graduation,  74 
Grafton,  285 
Graham,  Dr.,  257 
Guanojuato,  132 
Guinea  Station,  353 

HAAS,  MR.  I.  C,  197 

Hadden,  David,  43-4,  50-! 

Hadden,  John,  43 

Hadden,     Margaret     (later     Mrs. 

Isaac  White),  44,  148,  172,  183 
Hadden,  Mary  (later  Mrs.  Edward 

Jackson,    and-    grandmother    of 

General  T.  J.  Jackson),  43 
Hadden,  William,  45 
Hampden  Sidney,  Va.,  274-50 
Harper  &  Brothers,  149-50 
Harper's    Ferry,    215,    277,    317, 

331-2,  342,  364 
Harrison,  Mr.  Charles,  192 
Harrison  County,  (W.)  Va.,  26,  36, 

45>47»I7i 

Harrison,  Judge  William  A.,  192 
Hawks,  Major,  359 
Hayes,  Hon.  Samuel  L.,  52-3,  158, 

169-70,  202 

Haymond,  Henry,  26,  42 
Healing  Springs,  Va.,  257 
Heidelberg,  248 
Henderson,  Mr.,  178 
Henderson,  Mrs.  G.  F.  R.,  343 
Henderson,  Lt.  Colonel  G.  F.  R., 

49,  67,76,  106,  109,  114,  118-19, 

126,  343 

Herbert,  Lt.  Colonel,  115 
Heredity,  50 
Herrara,  President  of  Mexico,  92 


Hews,  Colonel,  138 
Hill,  D.   H.  (General,  C.  S.  A.), 
82,   94,  no-ii,  113,   122,  196, 

364 
Hill,   A.  P0   (General,  C.  S.  A.), 

6 1,  122,  320,  350,  359 
Hille,   Mrs.   Nancy,  205,  209,  227, 

233 
Hoffman,  Colonel  John  S.  (C.  S. 

A.),  277 
Hooker,  Joe  (General,  U.  S.  A.), 

117,  122 

Hot  Springs,  Va.,  144-6 
Hotchkiss,  Captain  Jed.  (C.  S.  A.), 

353 

Hudson  River,  144 
Huger,  General  (C.  S.  A.),  122 
Humboldt's  History  of  Mexico,  138 
Hunter  Raid,  363 

ILLINOIS,  233,  244 
Indiana,  231-2 
Indians,  41,  44-5,  170,  174 
Iowa,  244 
Ireland,  39,  40,  45 
Italy,  248,  256 

JACKSON,  Ancestry,  38 

Jackson,  General  Andrew,  39,  172 

Jackson,  Mrs.  Anna  Morrison,  sec 
ond  wife  of  General  T.  J.  Jack 
son,  24,  119,  256-63,  265-6, 
268-9,  273-7,  279,  281,  283-8, 
290,  292,  294,  304,  306-8,  331, 
351,  356-60,  363 ;  death  of,  365 

Jackson,  Cummins  E.  (uncle  of 
General  T.  J.  Jackson),  29,  31, 
34-6,  52-3,  55-60,  64-5,  78-80, 
136,  158,  162,  176,  186-7,  278 

Jackson,  Edward  (grandfather  of 
General  T.  J.  Jackson),  29,  41, 

43>45 

Jackson,  Edward  (uncle  of  Gen 
eral  T.  J.  Jackson),  136 

Jackson,  Mrs.  Edward  (step-grand 
mother  of  General  T.  J.  Jack 
son),  27,  29 

Jackson,  Dr.  Edward  B.,  42,  277 

Jackson,  Mrs.  Eleanor  Junkin  (first 


INDEX 


373 


wife  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson), 
205-6,  211-12,  217-21,  224-7, 
234,  247,  315,  362 

Jackson,  Edward  J.,  187 

Jackson,  Dr.,  256 

Jackson,  Elizabeth  (deceased  sister 
of  General  T.  J.  Jackson),  25, 
131,  149,  234,  239,  242 

Jackson,  Elizabeth  Cummins  (wife 
of  John  Jackson  and  great-grand 
mother  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson), 
38-9,  41,  50 

Jackson,  Colonel  George  (grand- 
uncle  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson), 
38-42 

Jackson,  Captain  George  W.,  38 

Jackson,     Judge    James     Monroe, 

43 

Jackson,  Jonathan  (father  of  Gen 
eral  T.  J.  Jackson),  25-6,  36, 
38,  47,  131*  J49»  201,  205,  234, 
239,  242,  306 

Jackson,  Governor  Jacob  B.,  43 

Jackson,  John  (paternal  great 
grandfather  of  General  T.  J. 
Jackson),  38-41,  43,  50 

Jackson,  J.  C.,  38 

Jackson,  Judge  John  G.,  26,  29, 
30,  40-2 

Jackson,  Mrs.  Judge  John  G.,  29 

Jackson,  General  John  Jay,  172 

Jackson,  Judge  John  J.,  Jr.,  43 

Jackson,  Julia  (daughter  of  Gen 
eral  T.  J.  Jackson),  357 

Jackson,  Mrs.  Julia  Beckwith 
Neale  (wife  of  Jonathan  Jack 
son,  mother  of  General  T.  J. 
Jackson),  46,  50,  56-7,  131,  149, 
201,  239-40,  258,  306 

Jackson,  Laura  Ann  (sister  of 
General  T.  J.  Jackson  and  later 
Mrs.  Jonathan  Arnold),  27-8, 
31-2,  34,  37,  57,  59,  62,  65-7 

Jackson,  Mrs.  Mary  Hadden,  pa 
ternal  grandmother  of  General 
T.  J.  Jackson,  43,  50 

Jackson,  General  T.  J.  (Stonewall), 
24-31  ;  youthful  adventure  to 
the  Mississippi  River,  32-4  ;  con 
stable,  35-7,  38,  43,  45-7,  49- 


51  ;  appointed  cadet  to  West 
Point,  52-3,  55-7,  59-61 ;  longs 
for  his  native  mountains,  63 ; 
has  no  intention  of  remaining  in 
army,  64;  has  many  friends, 
64-6 ;  cadet  officer ;  signature, 
67-70 ;  gives  consideration  to 
profession ;  arms  and  law  and 
futurity  ;  ambitious  to  acquire  a 
name,  7 1—3  ;  graduates  at  West 
Point,  74 ;  assigned  to  the  1st 
Artillery  Regiment ;  visits  home  ; 
ordered  to  report  to  his  company 
for  duty ;  ordered  to  march  for 
Mexico,  75-9;  Mexico,  81-2 ; 
promoted  to  second  and  first 
lieutenant,  83,  87,  90  ;  excessive 
ambition,  91  ;  Spanish  language, 
92 ;  applies  for  second  lieuten- 
antcy  in  Magruder's  battery,  93  ; 
bearer  of  challenge  to  General 
Pierce,  94-5  ;  battle  of  Con- 
treras  ;  brevetted  captain,  103 ; 
Molino  del  Rey,  105-6 ;  Cha- 
pultepec,  107-11,  114;  effect 
upon  when  under  fire,  115; 
named  in  Generals  Scott's, 
Pillow's  and  Worth's  Reports, 
116;  complimented  in  Magru 
der's  Report ;  brevetted  major 
of  artillery,  117-18;  publicly 
complimented  by  General  Scott, 
119,  1 2 1-2;  initiative,  123-4; 
Spanish  society  in  Mexico,  125  ; 
inclined  to  remain  in  Mexico, 
125—7 ;  investigating  religious 
denominations,  128,  135, 138-40; 
returns  from  Mexico,  140-1, 
143-8  ;  thrice  daily  prayer,  149 ; 
society,  150,  152-3,  157-8; 
would  not  violate  God's  will, 
159—60;  admiration  of  flowers, 
162 ;  Cummins  E.  Jackson  a 
father  to  him,  162 ;  water  cure, 
164-7  >  encounter  with  Indians 
desirable,  168 ;  doubts  whether 
he  will  quit  military  life,  169; 
philosophy  favorite  subject,  171  ; 
elected  Professor  Natural  and 
Experimental  Philosophy,  V.  M, 


374 


INDEX 


I.,  172-5 ;  incident  with  cadet, 
176-8,  179,  181-2,  184,  186-8; 
Lexington  most  beautiful  village, 
190,  191-4,  196-7 ;  would  not 
part  with  Bible,  198,  199,  200, 
202;  marriage  to  Miss  Junkin, 
204,  206-7,  210-13;  applicant 
for  chair  of  Mathematics  at  Uni 
versity  of  Virginia,  214,  216-18; 
death  of  wife,  219,  220-1,  224- 
230;  forecasts  civil  war,  231; 
objects  to  half-brother  locating  in 
free  state,  232,  235-241,  243; 
averse  to  investing  money  in 
free  state  for  fear  of  confiscation 
of  property,  244 ;  Europe,  246, 
248-255  ;  marriage  to  Miss 
Morrison,  256-7  j  plan  of  salva 
tion,  258,  260-1 ;  death  of  daugh 
ter,  262,  263-275  ;  John  Brown 
execution,  276,  278-86,  288, 
290  ;  opposed  to  secession,  29 1- 
2;  expresses  clearly  his  views 
as  to  course  to  be  pursued  by 
citizens  of  Virginia,  292-294, 
295 ;  fondness  for  children, 
298-9,  301-4,  3°6-l3>  3 * 5-323 J 
estimate  of  as  an  instructor,  324, 
326-330;  deeply  concerned 
about  northwestern  Virginia ; 
expected  to  be  ordered  there ; 
ordered  to  report  at  Richmond 
with  the  cadets ;  appointed  colo 
nel  and  sent  to  command  at  Har 
per's  Ferry,  331-2;  in  command 
of  a  promising  brigade,  333; 
good  staff  officers,  334 ;  would 
willingly  serve  under  General 
Garnett,  334;  brigadier-general, 
334  ;  tenderness  of  heart,  335-6  ; 
kindness  and  affection  for  his 
slaves,  337-8 ;  "  the  black 
man's  friend,"  338,  339-40; 
liberal  in  religious  views,  340 ; 
opposed  to  denominational  dis 
tinctions,  341-2  ;  in  command  at 
Fredericksburg,  343  ;  campaigns 
subject  of  study  in  leading  mili 
tary  schools  of  Europe  and 
America,  343;  Lord  Roberts' 


opinion  of,  344;  wounding  and 
death,  345-353.  354-8,  360-5 

Jackson,  Thomas  K.,  69 

Jackson,  Warren,  brother  of  Gen 
eral  T.  J.  Jackson,  27,  31-4, 
36-7,  50,  74,  79,  131,  149,  225, 
234,  238-9 

Jackson,  General  William  L.,  42, 
77,  171-2,  277,  279,  282,  290 

Jalapa,  86-7,  89-91,  94,  125,  129, 

I33»  138-9 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  President,  217 

Jim  (black),  General  Jackson's 
servant,  336 

John  Brown  Raid,  215,  293 

Johnson  County,  Mo.,  232 

Johnson,  Joseph,  Governor  of  Vir 
ginia,  36,  158 

Johnston,  Edward  (General,  C.  S. 

A.),  122 

Johnston,  Joseph  E.  (General,  C.  S. 

A.),  122,  171,329,334 
Johnstone,  Lieutenant,  100,  118 
Jones,  D.  R.  (General,  C.  S.  A.),6i 
Junkin,  Miss  Eleanor  (later  wife  of 

General    T.    J.   Jackson),    199, 

203-4 

Junkin,  Rev.  Dr.  George,  203,  252 
Junkin,  Mrs.  Dr.  George,  209 
Junkin,  Miss    Maggie    (later  Mrs. 

Preston),  205,  219-20,  315 
Junkin,  William,  234-5 

KANAWHA  RIVER,  229 

Kansas,  233 
Kentucky,  33,  42,  217 
Kosciusko,  General  Thaddeus,  165 

LA  HOY  A,  87,  129 

Lake  Champlain,  161 

Lake  Lucerne,  248 

Lake  Ontario,  207 

La   Puebla,   87,  92,  96-7,  III-I2, 

134 

Lake  Thum,  248 

Latin  language,  221,  236,  239,245, 

266,  268,  280,  300-2 
Latrobe,  Mr.  J.  H.,  165 
La  Vega,  General,  89 
Las  Vegas,  133-4 


INDEX 


375 


Lee,  Judge  George  H.,  152, 158 
Lee,   R.   E.    (General,  C.  S.  A.), 
97-8,    100-1,   122,  173,  216-17, 

32°,  333»  343»  35*-3 

Lee,  Captain  R.  E.,  Jr.,  173 

Leghorn,  248 

Letcher,  Governor,  John,  331 

Letters,  83,  87,  91,  128,  133,  135, 
137,  158-9,  197-8,  231-2,  243-4 

Lewis  County,  (W.)  Va.,  27,  35, 
37,  45,  55,  59,  60,  65-6,  70, 136, 
143,  171,  176,  228 

Lewiston,  207 

Lexington,  59,  171,  176-9,  181-6, 
189-91,  194,  197,  199,  201,  203, 
205-6,  208,  210,212,219,221-2, 
225-6,  229,  231-2,234-5,237-8, 
242,  249-50,  252,  254,  256-8, 
260-4,  266,  268,  270,  277-8, 
282,  284,  286,288-9,  291,  293-5, 
298,  300-4,  306-7,  316,  335, 

338-9,  358>  36l~3»  365 
"  Little  Pilgrim,"  275 
Liverpool,  246,  248-50,  303 
Loesser,  Mr.,  57 
London,  39,  248-9 
Long  Island,  144 
Longstreet,   General  James,    122, 

361 

Lord  Chesterfield's  Letters,  136 
Los  Angeles,  37 
Loudon  County,  Va.,  46-7 
Lowell,  134 

Lurty,  George,  192,  198 
Lyle,  John  B.,  301-2 
Lynchburg,  360,  363 
Lyons,  249 

MADISON,  MRS.  DOLLY,  40,  42 

Magdalena,  98 

Magruder,   John  B.    (General,  C. 

S.  A.),  93-6,  99,  loo,  103,  106- 

n,  114-17,  122,  131-2 
Maguire,  Dr.  T.  Miller,  122 
Manassas,  335 
Mantua,  248 
Marcus  Aurelius,  216 
Marquis  of  Westminster,  249,  253 
Marseilles,  249 
Marshall,  John,  Chief  Justice,  217 


Martinez,  Dr.,  134 

Martinsburg,  333 

Maryland,  39,  333 

Massie,  Professor,  206 

Matamoras,  82-3 

Maury,  Commodore,  290 

Maury,  Dabney   H.  (General,  C. 

S.  A.),  61,  75 
Maxwell,  Hu,  45 
May,  Captain,  85 
McCabe,  James  Dabney,  175 
McCalley,  Dr.  James,  25,  158 
McClellan,    George   B.    (General, 

U.  S.  A.),  61,  97,  122,  173 
McCutcheon,  John  T.,  343 
McCutcheon,  R.  A.,  280 
McDowell,  Battle  of,  316 
McDowell,  General  (U.  S.  A.),  122 
McDowell,  Governor,  194,  206 
McDowell,  Miss  Sophonisba  B.,  206 
McFarland,  Mr.,  266 
McFarland,  Rev.  Dr.,  337,  339 
McGuire,   Dr.    Hunter,   335,  345, 

365 

McKenzie,  Captain,  no 

McKinley,  Colonel,  78 

Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.,  256 

Mer  de  Glace,  248 

Mexicalcingo,  97,  98,  121 

Mexican  Guerillas,  94 

Mexican  manufacture,  166 

Mexicans,  84,  87,  89,  90,  95,  98-9, 
100-3,  I05-6,  108-9,  111-13. 
119,  121,  124,  128,  138,  325 

Mexican  War,  78,  120,  167,  365 

Mexico  City,  79,  86,  90-4,  97,  102, 
104-6,  112-13,  119,  124,  128, 
130,  133-4,  136-40,  1 66,  176 

Mexico,  74,  76,  78,  81,  83-5,  87-9, 
94,  113,  117,  122,  126,  129,  132, 
135-6,  138,  173,  176,  199,  216, 
3",3i3,  3i5»3i8,  325,  342 

Milan,  248 

Mineral  Wells,  188 

Mississippi  River,  34,  79,  231 

Mississippi,  State,  73 

Missouri,  State,  182,  229,  231,  244 

Modena,  248 

Molino  del  Rey,  105-6,  113 

"  Monongahela  of  Old,"  48 


376 


INDEX 


Monterey,  82-3,  88 
Montreal,  161,  207 


Moors,  253 
i,    Hon. 

293 


Moore, 


Samuel   McDowell, 


Moorefield,  39 
Morrison,  Dr.,  355 
Morrison,  Miss  Laura,  275 
Morrison,   Miss  Mary  Anna,  later 
wife  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson, 

255 

Morrison,  Mary  Graham,  261-2 
Morrison,  Captain  Joseph,  345,  351 
Morrison,  Rev.  Dr.  R.  H.,  256 
Morrison,  Mrs.  R.  H.,  261 
Morrison,  Miss  Sue,  294 
Morrison,  William,  295 
Mount  Vernon,  Ind.,  220 
Murdoch's,   Mr.   John,   daughters, 

285-6 

NAPIER,  125 

Naples,  248-9 

Napoleon,  Emperor,  115,  248,  344 

Nassau,  170 

National  Intelligencer,  159 

National  Military  School  of  Mexico, 

I05 

National  Palace,  124,  128 

Natural  Bridge,  141 

Natural  and  Experimental  Phil 
osophy  and  Artillery,  Chair  of, 
174 

Neale,  Alfred,  27,  32,  34,  210,  221, 

224-5,  228»  23°»  23*»  233»  238» 
252 

Neale,  Mrs.  Alfred,  46,  210, 234-6, 
238,  252,  277 

Neale  ancestry,  46 

Neale,  Charles,  234 

Neale,  Daniel,  45-6 

Neale,  George,  uncle  of  Mrs.  Jon 
athan  Jackson,  46 

Neale,  Hardin,  236,  238 

Neale,  James,  uncle  of  Mrs.  Jon 
athan  Jackson,  46 

Neale,  Julia,  234 

Neale,  Julia  Beckwith  (Mrs.  Jon 
athan  Jackson,  and  mother  of 
General  T.  J.  Jackson),  46 


Neale,  Margaret  Wynne  (maternal 
grandmother  of  General  T.  J. 
Jackson),  46 

Neale,  Minor,  181,  185 

Neale,  Mrs.  Minor,  210 

Neale,  Richard,  46 

Neale,  Richard,  uncle  of  Mrs.  Jon 
athan  Jackson,  46 

Neale,  Richard,  129 

Neale's  Island,  228 

Neale,  Thomas,  Postmaster  Gen 
eral  of  Virginia,  46 

Neale,  Thomas,  maternal  grand 
father  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson, 

25>  4&-7»  5° 

Neale,  Thornton,  210 

Neale,  William,  uncle  of  Mrs.  Jon 
athan  Jackson,  46 

Neale,  William  (of  Missouri),  231- 

XT3'2T35 

New  Jersey,  43 

New   Orleans,   79,   80,    140,   199, 

236 
New  York,  39,  88,  140,  142,  144, 

147,  149-5°.  I64»  174.  199,  2oi» 
235-6,  244,  246-7,  249,  250,  262, 
264,  265,  280,  282,  286-7,  290, 
301 

Ney,  Marshal,  115 

Niagara  Falls,  164,  206-7,  25^ 

Norris,  Miss  Eliza,  227,  252 

Northampton,  284-5 

North  Carolina,  252,  255-6,  260, 
294 

Northcliffe,  Lord,  343 

Northern  people,  294 

Northumberland  County,  Va.,  45 

Northwestern  Virginia,  334 

OFFICIAL  REPORTS,  115-16 

Ohio  Legislature,  41 

Ohio  River,  32,  41,  79,  228-9,  255 

Ohio,  State  Senate,  41 

Orizaba,  92,  133,  315 

Oswego,  164 

PALO  ALTO,  95 
Paris,  134,  147,  150,  249 
Parkersburg,  27-8,  31,  46,  143,  1 8 1, 
1 88,  228-9 


INDEX 


377 


Paseo,  135-6 

Patterson,  R.    (General,  U.  S.  A.), 

139 

Paxton,  General  (C.  S.  A.),  354 
Payne,  Miss   Mary    (Mrs.  John  G. 

Jackson),  42 

"  Peach  Orchard  "  Farm,  47 
Peaks  of  Otter,  269 
Pearson,  Joseph  (M.  C.),  42 

PEDREGAL,  98-9,  100,  121 
Pender,  General  (C.  S.  A.),  345-6 
Pendleton,  Colonel,  350,  358 
Pendleton  County,  (W.)  Va.f  39 
Pennsylvania,  79,  212,  363 
Perote,  87,  90,  134 
Petersburg,  235 
Philadelphia,    41,   205,    212,    220, 

224,  242-3,  256,  265,  286,  290 
Pickett,  Geo.  E.  (General,  C.  S.  A.), 

61,  122,  360 
Pierce,  Franklin  (General,  U.  S.  A.), 

President,  94,  97,  102 
Pillow,  Gideon  J.,  General,  87,  96, 

99,   100,   102,   106,  no,  114-17, 

.  130.  I37>  138 
Pioneers,  49 
Pisa,  248 

Pittsburgh,  80,  142,  363 
Plattsburg  Barracks,  161 
Point  Isabel,  79 

Point  Pleasant,  181,  192,  194,  229 
Pope,  John  (General,  U.    S.  A.), 

122 

Popocatepetl,  138 

Porter,  F.  (General,  U.  S.  A.),  122 

Porter,  E.,  185 

President  James  Buchanan,  302 

President,  C.  S.  A.,  and   Cabinet, 

360 

President  of  Mexico,  92 
Preston,  Colonel  J.  T.  L.,  273,  279, 

288,  33i,  335 ,  339 
Preston,  Mrs.  Margaret  Junkin,  204, 

242,  3*5,  3!8,  331*  336-9,  362 
Preston,  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  L.,  288- 

91,  296,  308 
Preston,  Willie,  335-6 
Protestants,  128 
Protestant  families,  40 


QUEBEC,  161 

Queretaro,  137 

Quitman,  General  (U.  S.  A.),  106, 


RAMSAY,  Rev.  Dr.,  362 

Randolph  Academy,  26 
Randolph    County,  (W.)  Va.,  26, 

43,  45,  47,  65 

Randolph  County  Court,  50 
Randolph,  William,  217 
Ransom,  Colonel,  101 
Religious  Sentiment,  47 
Reno,  Jesse  L.  (General,  U.  S.  A.), 

6l,  122 

Resaca  de  la  Palma,  95 

Revolver,  primitive,  113 

Richmond,  45,  80,  144,  172,  215- 
16,  235,  250,  256,  277,  293-5, 
329,  331,  344,  357,  36o,  363 

Richmond  Medical  Journal,  345 

Ridgely,  Captain,  85 

Ringold,  Captain,  85 

Rio  Frio  Mountains,  97 

Rio  Grande  River,  8i-2 

Rio,  Martinez  del,  136 

River  Rhine,  248 

Roaring  Creek,  44 

Roberts,  Lord,  343-4 

Robinson  (Uncle  Jack  and  Aunt 
Nancy),  slaves  owned  by  Cum 
mins  E.  Jackson,  162 

Rockbridge  Alum  Springs,  179, 
186-9,  203,  256 

Rockbridge  Bank,  337 

Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  329 

Rodes,  General  (C.  S.  A.),  354 

Rollins'  Ancient  History,  147,  221 

Rome,  249 

Rosecrans,  W.  S.  (General,  U.  S. 
A.),  122 

Rowton  Moor,  251 

Rumbough,  P.  C.  (Major,  C.  S.  A.), 
324 

SABBATH,  violation  of,  48 
Sacramento,  158 
Saltillo,  82-4,  88 
San  Antonio,  102,  121 
San  Augustin,  98,  101,  121 


378 


INDEX 


San  Cosme  Gate,  109-10,  112,  114, 

122 

San  Juan  Dulloas,  Castle  of,  84 
San  Luis  Potosi,  90 
San  Pablo,  102 

Santa  Anna,  General,  86,  88-9,  92, 
94,97-8,  102,  104,  in,  112,  121, 

132,  J38 
Saratoga,  256 

Schoonmaker,  Colonel  J.  M.,  363-4 

Scott,  General  Winfield,  69,  72,82, 

86,  89,91-4,96-102,  104-5,  IIJ» 

115,  119,122,  128,137,  173,216, 

313 

Secession,  291-2 
Secretary  of  War,  142 
Secretary  of  War,  C.  S.  A.,  329 
Seely,  a  slave,  64 
Semmes,     Colonel     Thomas     M., 

317-18 

Sevier,  Mr.,  137 

Shields,  General,  87,  IOI-2,  122 
Slaves,  29,  55,  64,   162,   176,  274, 

294,  336-9 
Smith,  Captain,  85 
Smith,  Colonel  Augustus,  244 
Smith,  Dr.,  357 
Smith,   General    Francis    H.,   75, 

171,  178,  239,  247,  316 
Smith,   Gustavus  W.  (General,  C. 

S.  A.),  97..IOI,  122,  173,  329 
Smith,  Captain  James  P.,  345,  347, 

35I~2>  355 
Smith,   General    Percifer   F.,   124, 

'31 

Smith,  General  W.  D.,  61 
Spanish    language,   92,    125,    133, 

136-7,  268-9 
St.  Lawrence  River,  207 
Staunton,     141,    158,    183,    185-6, 

227,  257 

Steamer  Asia,  246 
Stoneman    (General,    U.    S.    A.), 

61 

«  Stonewall  Brigade,"  352,  360 
"  Stonewall,"  soubriquet,  in,  352 
Stringer,  John,  171 
Stringer,  William,  37 
Stuart,  J.  E.  B.  (General,  C.  S.  A.), 


Sumwalt,    Colonel   Charles   S.  K. 

(U.  S.  A.),  364 
Switzerland,  248 

TAYLOR,  CAPTAIN    FRANCIS,  80, 

90-1,  124,  127,  131,  141-2 
Taylor,    General    Zacharia,    80- 2, 

84,  90,  95 
Texas,  74,  135 
Thomas,    Rev.    Enoch,   233,   260, 

264-5,  3OI-2,  3°7 
Thompson,  Judge,  290 
Treaty   of  Peace  between  United 

States  and  Mexico,  128 
Trousdale,    Colonel,    106,   115-16, 

118 

Tucker,  Dr.,  357 
Tucker,  Hon.  J.  Randolph,  217 
Turkey  Island,  Virginia,  217 
Turkey  Run,  40 
Twiggs,  General,  85-6,  89,  90,  96, 

98,  101-2,  106,  no 
Tygarts  Valley,  43,  289 
Tygarts  Valley  River,  144-5 

"  UNCLE  ROBINSON,"  a  slave,  28 

Union,  290,  292-4,  313 

United   States,    89,   91,    129,  132, 

135,  138,  149,  247 
United  States  Army,  216 
University  of  Cambridge,  249 
University  of  Virginia,  214-16 
Upshur  County,  (W.)  Va.,  26-7 

VALENCIA,  GENERAL,  99,  138 
Valley  of  Virginia,  80,  317,  328-9, 

361,  363-4 

Veach,  Hon.  James,  48 
Venice,  248 
Vera  Cruz,  82-4,  86,  88,  90,  1 14, 

120,  129,  133-4,  140 
Vesuvius,  248 
Vicksburg,  181,  185 
Vinton,  Captain,  85 
Virginia,    73,    123,   141,  144,  164, 

171,  217,  270,  293-4,  332-3,  357 
Virginia  Convention,  46,  77,  171-2, 

.293  e 
Virginia,  Governor  of,  43,  295,  360 


INDEX 


379 


Virginia  Legislature,  41,  43,  45, 
144,  187 

Virginia  Military  Institute,  171, 
173>  176-8,  186,  189-90,  193, 
202,  206,  209,  214-15,  217,  228- 
9,  249,  255,  270-2,  283,  292-3, 

295»  3°4 

Virginia  Militia,  42 
Virginia  Mineral  Springs,  141,  177 
Virginia  Volunteers,  333 

WARM  SPRINGS,  VA.,  179 
Warren  District,  35 
War,  Revolutionary,  41,  46 
Washington  College,  Va.,  204,  306 
Washington,  D.  C.,  53,   132,   137, 

164,  197,  243-4,  295,  317 
Washington,  George  W.,  President, 

41-2,  295 
Washington,  Mrs.  George  Steptoe, 

42 

Waterloo,  248-9 
Watkins,  Dr.,  274 
Watts,  Mr.,  217 
Webster,  Daniel,  160 
Webster  Station,  283   \ 
Welch,  303 
Western  Virginia,  174 
West  Fork  River,  66 
Westmoreland  County,  Va.,  46 
Weston,   (W.)   Va.,  27,  37-8,  52, 

60,  73,  188,  279 
West  Point,  32,  52-3,  59,  61-2, 66- 

72,   74-6,   78,  120,  122-3,  I25» 

164,  172,  205,  278,  311 
Wheeling,  173 
White,  Dr.  George,  21 1 
White,  George  (uncle  by  marriage 

of  General  T.  J.  Jackson),  32, 

211 

White,  John,  183,  236,  238,  240 
White,  John  (uncle  by  marriage  of 

General   T.    J.   Jackson),  36-7, 

154,  l62f  iSl,  211 


White,  Mrs.  Catharine,  "Aunt 
Katy,"  wife  of  Mr.  John  White, 
162 

White,  Mrs.  Margaret  Hadden, 
148,  172,  183,  276,  290 

White,  Rev.  Dr.,  314,  337,  339-40* 
361-2 

White  Sulphur  Springs,  141,  273 

White,  Sylvanus,  25,  36,  52,  57, 
65,  78-9,  !09,  176,  182,  198 

Whiting,  General,  80 

Wilcox,  General,  61 

Wild  animals,  44 

Wilderness  Tavern,  348 

Williamsport,  333 

Williams,  Mrs.  Catharine  (a  rela 
tive  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson), 
38,  234 

Willis,  Colonel,  354 

Wilson,  John,  43 

Withers,  Dr.,  73 

Withers  Ford,  66 

Withers,  John,  73 

Wood  County,  (W.)  Va.,  46-7 

Woodson,  Mrs.  Blake  B.  (mother 
of  General  T.  J.  Jackson  by 
former  marriage),  27,  230,  239- 
40 

Woodson,  Captain  Blake  B.,  27 

Woodson,  Wirt  (half-brother  of 
General  T.  J.  Jackson),  34,  92, 
129,  210,  220-5,  229-33,  235-6, 
238-9,  242,  244,  250,  252,  255, 
258,  261-2,  264 

Worth,  General,  85,  87,  90,  92,  96, 
99,  106-7,  no,  116,  118,  130, 

137 

Wren's  Cavalry,  360 
Wynne,  Margaret,  46 

YORK,  ENGLAND,  248-9,  303 
ZANESVILLE,  41 


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PROBLEMS  OF  WAR  AND  PEACE 

EDWARD  A.  STEINER 

Nationalizing  America 

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